The Federal Way School Board’s two finalists for superintendent work about 15 miles apart at school districts in southeastern Michigan.
Either Peter Dion of Novi, Mich., or Robert R. Neu of Waterford, Mich., will succeed superintendent Tom Murphy, who will retire June 30. The board announced its selections after a closed executive session Saturday.
“Their experience, their knowledge of our district, their knowledge of our priorities were the No. 1 things we were excited about these finalists,” board President Tony Moore said. “And meeting face-to-face with them and seeing their passion, their personal makeup really attracted to us to these two guys.”
Dion has led the 6,200-student Novi School District, about 25 miles northwest of Detroit, for 14 years. He also has 17 years of experience as a principal or assistant principal. He began his career as an elementary school teacher.
Neu has been the Waterford School District’s superintendent for four years and has served three additional years as a principal or an assistant principal. The district of about 11,500 students is about 30 miles northwest of Detroit. He began his career as a high school business teacher, cooperative education coordinator, and basketball and track coach.
Murphy, 64, announced his retirement in October after almost 10 years of running the 23,000-student district, Washington’s eighth-largest. He has worked in the district since 1988 and earns an annual salary of $168,720.
The School Board hired a national consulting firm for the search and will interview the finalists in a closed session this week. Board members will visit Dion’s and Neu’s districts next week, and the board plans to make a contract offer by April 6.
The new superintendent will begin work July 1.
Scott Fontaine: 253-597-8646
scott.fontaine@thenewstribune.com
IF YOU GO
People can meet and question the finalists Wednesday and Thursday. The 50-minute sessions will begin at 6 p.m. in the boardroom at the Educational Service Center at 31405 18th Ave. S., Federal Way.
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