School Board Defies Superintendent in Split Vote on Administrators on Paid Leave

The Grand Rapids Public Schools board voted to renew the contracts of two administrators currently on paid administrative leave, rejecting Superintendent Leadriane Roby's recommendation to not renew their contracts for the 2026-27 school year.

The 5-4 vote came after Roby recommended the non-renewal of Deputy Superintendent Brandy Lovelady Mitchell and chief area instructional leader Bridget Cheney. Both officials have been on paid administrative leave since February and March 2026.

Board President Jose Rodriguez announced the outcome following the April 27 meeting.

I just want folks to be clear, they are renewed for another year, Rodriguez said.

Both administrators between them earn more than $400,000 annually according to district records.

Both Deputy Superintendent Brandy Lovelady Mitchell and Bridget Cheney, chief area instructional leader for the southeast quadrant, were placed on paid administrative leave last month, according to district records.

Superintendent Raises Concerns About Leadership Style

In a March 12 letter to board members, Roby explained her recommendation against renewal stemmed from an investigation completed in 2024.

I continue to have concerns regarding her leadership and management style, Roby wrote in the letter. The improvement plan has been unsuccessful.

The investigation found that Lovelady Mitchell's leadership style and interaction with staff had a detrimental impact. The report also noted that her supervisory methods and approach to management created a culture of devaluing members of her staff.

Roby placed Lovelady Mitchell on administrative leave in March after the improvement plan was deemed unsuccessful. Lovelady Mitchell's attorney, Teresa Caine Bingman, shared a statement expressing concerns about the lack of procedural fairness.

The Board's decision reflects what my record has always demonstrated — consistent excellence, expanded responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to the children and community I serve, Bingman said on behalf of Lovelady Mitchell.

Board Members Split on Contract Renewal

Trustees Kimberly Williams and Richard Williamson voted against renewal, citing Roby's recommendation as the basis for their decision.

I am basing my decision on the recommendation of our superintendent, Williams said.

Trustee Sara Melton voted to renew because she objected to the evaluation process that led to the recommendations.

Was the process in place that I would want any one of us to have if there was a complaint if there was a complaint against any of us and for me the process is not in place yet, Melton said.

Trustee Kimberly Williams explained her reasoning during the meeting.

Concluded we do need to go in a different direction with different staff, different leadership, Williams said.

Administrative Leave Details Remain Limited

The district declined to comment on any relation between the two administrative leave placements. The initial announcement of Lovelady Mitchell's leave in March did not include details about the reason.

Roby later announced Cheney's leave on March 27, sending a near-identical message citing personnel matters.

For the remainder of the school year, GRPS Ombudsperson Maleika Joubert Brown will step in to oversee the schools and programs that were under Cheney's leadership.

Cheney was principal of GRPS' Congress Elementary beginning in 2010 before she became director of priority schools and principal leadership development in 2015. She earned her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Aquinas College and her master's in educational leadership from Western Michigan University.

Lovelady Mitchell was appointed to the role of deputy superintendent of preK-12 academics and leadership in August 2022. In November 2020, she was elected to the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees for a term that runs from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2026.

Uncertainty Remains About Future Roles

There has been no announcement about whether any of the school administrators currently on leave will return to work or when. The board's vote represents an important step toward correcting the record according to district statements, but the decision to maintain Lovelady Mitchell on leave sends a conflicting message that continues to fuel unnecessary speculation according to her attorney.

A meeting to discuss Lovelady Mitchell's contract had been set for the district's April 27 Board meeting. In the interim, more responsibility will go to chief area instructional leaders.

The district confirmed Cheney's leave is paid. Both administrators remain on the payroll despite not being actively working at the district since the start of February and March respectively.