Lapeer Community Schools (LCS) Superintendent Matt Wandrie has agreed to rescind his resignation effective immediately and will stay on in his current position in the District, pending Board of Education approval of a new contract and work structure. 

The Board, which had postponed its superintendent search in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, offered Wandrie the opportunity to return in light of the circumstances facing the District due to the pandemic and his track record of strong leadership. The Board and Wandrie are working together on a new structure for his time in the District that will include more remote work. This structure will be reflected in a new contract that will go before the Board for a vote at its regular meeting on June 24. If ratified, the contract will go into effect July 1, 2020.

Wandrie had agreed in principle to take over the superintendency of Berrien County RESA back in March. Wandrie, who will begin his 10th school year as superintendent on July 1, said the decision was what was best for him both personally, and professionally. 

“This was an incredibly difficult decision, but I feel it’s what’s best for my family,” he said. “So much has changed in the last few months as we have navigated one challenge after another. I feel humbled to be able accept this offer to stay and I look forward to my role in moving the District forward.”

His acceptance was accompanied with both excitement and relief by LCS Board of Education President Summer Putnam. 

“We are thrilled to be able to retain Mr. Wandrie as leader of our school district,” Putnam said. “As a board, we strongly believe that maintenance of our current district leadership team, at this time, is pivotal and we are excited about Mr. Wandrie’s decision to stay with the District in this capacity. In these challenging times, we need strong and stable leadership more than ever.”

Kristen Wilcox, President of the Lapeer Education Association (LEA), also expressed support for the Board’s decision to retain Wandrie.

“This is an important step for the future of the District,” Wilcox said. “To be able to maintain the District’s leadership team is advantageous for our entire school community.”

LEA Chief Negotiator, Sally Wolfer, echoed the sentiment, citing the strong working relationship between the District’s leadership team and the county’s largest teacher’s union.

“I applaud this decision and look forward to continuing to build for the future,” she said. “I’m confident we have the right people in positions of leadership to confront the many challenges ahead.”

The June 24 regular meeting will be held remotely and streamed live on the District Facebook page and Youtube Channel starting at 7 p.m. 

For more information, contact Jared Field, LCS Director of Communications, at jfield@lapeerschools.org.