Robert Allen has been named interim superintendent for The Ann Arbor Public Schools as the school board begins its search for a new superintendent.
Allen, who serves as the district’s deputy superintendent of operations, will take over no later then Oct. 12 as he works through the transition process with Superintendent Todd Roberts. Roberts is leaving the district this fall to take over as chancellor of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics.
Allen came to the Ann Arbor Public Schools in October 2006 from the Flint Community Schools where he served as chief financial officer. He has also worked in executive finance posts for Eastern Michigan University and Norfolk State University. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Business Administration from Eastern Michigan University.
Several other interim changes were also announced this week:
• Nancy Hoover, director of financial operations, will take on Allen’s responsibilities as he takes the interim superintendent’s post;
• LeeAnn Dickinson-Kelley, director of elementary instruction, will become the interim deputy superintendent for instruction;
• Recently retired elementary principal Ruth Williams will take over Dickinson-Kelley’s role as interim administrator for elementary instruction.
Meanwhile, the process for hiring a professional services firm to assist in the superintendent search is under way. Five firms have been selected as finalists and will be interviewed next week. The school board is scheduled to select a search firm at its Sept. 29 meeting.
Board President Deb Mexicotte has said the board plans to have a new superintendent in place on or before July 1, 2011.
