By JAMES MITCHELL
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR – Taylor School District officials will likely determine this week a successor to Supt. Diane Allen, who announced her decision to retire after three years in the post and more than 40 years with the district.
Allen’s retirement had been stalled after the panel had requested her to remain on the job for up to one year while a search was conducted. Allen had announced her intention to retire earlier this year.
Internal and external candidates were among the finalists who were interviewed by the Board of Education last week. Hoover Middle School Principal Michelle Tocco and Alexander McNeece, director of Instruction for Garden City Public Schools, were interviewed Tuesday; Thursday the board met to interview Scott Dunsmore, former superintendent of Houghton Lake Schools.
Allen came out of retirement three years ago to accept the position, and has since wrestled with shrinking budgets and student enrollment. Earlier this year Allen had proposed the closing of the district’s Sixth Grade Academy, a plan that was rejected by board members.
Last week the board approved a balanced budget that avoided any building closures, but the district remains in search of ways to restore pay for teachers who had taken a 10 percent salary cut three years ago.
It was unknown if the panel expected to name Allen’s successor at the conclusion of the interviews or at the next regular meeting, scheduled for July 13.
(James Mitchell can be reached at [email protected].)