Multiple Administrators Placed on Leave Amid Leadership Turmoil

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Four Grand Rapids Public Schools employees are currently on paid administrative leave, with the total taxpayer cost estimated at around $213,794 as of April 2, 2026. The leaves represent a period of leadership turbulence within the district, with reasons ranging from criminal charges to unresolved personnel matters.

The Four Employees on Leave

According to a GRPS spokesperson, four people employed as principals or higher are on paid administrative leave:

• Charlie Lovelady, Alger Middle School principal — placed on leave February 6 after being jailed for violating his drunk driving probation
• Molly Ali, Interim principal at Coit Creative Arts Academy — placed on leave February 26
• Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, Deputy Superintendent of preschool through 12th grade learning and leadership — placed on leave March 11
• Bridget Cheney, Chief Area Instructional Leader for Southeast Quadrant — placed on leave March 27

All four have been on paid administrative leave since February, with typical year-round educator contracts ending June 30.

Charlie Lovelady's Case

Principal Charlie Lovelady was the first to be placed on administrative leave, on February 6. He was jailed for violating his drunk driving probation. By June 30, Lovelady will have been on leave for 103 weekdays.

According to a GRPS 2025 Top Wage Earners report, the average salary for a full-time principal was around $137,431. That means Lovelady could be paid around $54,235 by June 30.

Brandy Lovelady Mitchell: Contract Not Renewed

The situation with Deputy Superintendent Brandy Lovelady Mitchell has become more definitive. Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby has recommended that the school board not renew Lovelady Mitchell's contract when it expires June 30.

In letters to the school board and to Lovelady Mitchell, Roby accused the deputy superintendent of creating a "culture that devalued members of her staff."

The issues are not new. A 2024 investigation found that Lovelady Mitchell's leadership style and staff interactions had a "detrimental impact on the district." The investigation also determined her supervisory methods and management approach created a culture of devaluing employees.

Rather than terminate Lovelady Mitchell at the time, the district placed her on an improvement plan that included training and regular check-ins with Roby. But after the completion of the improvement plan, the district received further complaints, and Roby continued to have concerns.

Lovelady Mitchell will have an opportunity to meet with the school board later this month to discuss her employment status before any final decision is made.

Bridget Cheney: Ombudsperson Stepping In

Chief Area Instructional Leader Bridget Cheney was placed on leave March 27 for the remainder of the school year. The district cited the matter as a personnel issue and declined to release further details.

Cheney had previously been called in to provide continuity and support after Alger Middle School Principal Charlie Lovelady was arrested earlier this year and placed on leave.

Maleika Joubert Brown, GRPS Ombudsperson, will step in to oversee the schools and programs that had been under Cheney's leadership.

"We are grateful to have a dedicated and experienced leader ready to step in and provide stable guidance for our schools," Superintendent Roby said regarding Joubert Brown.

Financial Impact on Taxpayers

By June 30, the four employees will have accumulated significant paid leave time:

• Lovelady will have been on leave for 103 weekdays, potentially costing around $54,235
• Interim principal Ali will have been on leave for 89 weekdays, potentially costing around $46,863
• Deputy Superintendent Lovelady Mitchell will have been on leave for 80 weekdays, potentially costing around $62,143 based on her $202,743 annual salary
• Chief Area Instructional Leader Cheney will have been on leave for 69 weekdays, potentially costing around $52,852 based on her $199,917 annual salary

The combined estimated cost comes to approximately $216,090.

What This Means

The GRPS leadership situation represents a period of uncertainty for the district. While one case involved criminal charges, the other two leaves — Cheney and Lovelady Mitchell — have undisclosed reasons, creating questions about what issues the district is facing.

The placement of Ombudsperson Maleika Joubert Brown to oversee Cheney's schools demonstrates the district's commitment to maintaining operations despite the leadership challenges.

As the school year concludes, the district will need to address staffing needs and leadership transitions across multiple levels of the organization.