Forest Hills — The Board of Education Tuesday named current Lake Orion Superintendent Benjamin Kirby as the district’s next superintendent.
“We are thrilled to make an offer to Kirby for the superintendent position for Forest Hills,” said Board President Kristen Fausen in a prepared statement. “… As a united board, we felt that Kirby was a fit with our educational mission, and he clearly is able to articulate a vision for the future, create a culture of collaboration and advance the educational expectations in the classroom and beyond.”
Before the special board meeting, two finalists for the position, Kirby and Mason Public Schools Superintendent Gary Kinzer, visited school buildings to meet with students and staff and attended a community meet-and-greet.
At the board meeting, each presented a 90-day plan, including how they would acclimate into the district and review initial focus areas.
At the meet-and-greet, Kirby said he is from West Michigan, born and raised in Ionia, and was looking forward to moving back to the area.
“Forest Hills is a great district, certainly exemplary,” Kirby said. “Part of the work that I do currently in Lake Orion is work with high achieving students and high-expectation families. I work in a great district and (Forest Hills) is the type of great district I want to be in.”
Kirby said he values relationships, teamwork and listening to people.
“This position is a perfect combination for me and for my professional career to continue in an outstanding school district,” Kirby said. “I am excited to lead Forest Hills and look forward to our future together.”
Kirby has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Michigan State University, a master’s in educational leadership from Western Michigan University and an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Grand Valley State University.
He started his career as a sixth-grade teacher in Central Montcalm Public Schools. For 24 years, he served in Ionia Public Schools as a teacher, coach, middle school assistant principal and principal, high school principal and associate superintendent. He was assistant superintendent in South Lyon Community Schools before coming to Lake Orion, where he has served as superintendent since 2020.
A board subcommittee will meet with Kirby to finalize a contract with the intent that Kirby will assume the superintendent position on July 1.
Retired East Grand Rapids Superintendent Sara Magaña Shubel has served as the district’s interim superintendent since former Superintendent Dan Behm retired last summer after 17 years. Behm recently became the executive director of the Education Advocates of West Michigan.
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