Grand Rapids Public Schools Deputy Superintendent Faces Non-Renewal Following Staff Management Complaints

Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, deputy superintendent of preschool through 12th grade learning and leadership at Grand Rapids Public Schools, has been removed from her position after an investigation into her leadership style and management approach.

Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby wrote a letter to the school board on March 12 recommending that Mitchell's contract not be renewed beyond June 30, citing concerns about her leadership and management style.

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

The issue dates back to a 2024 investigation that found Mitchell's leadership style and staff interactions had a detrimental impact. The investigation also determined her supervisory methods and management approach created a culture that devalued employees.

Rather than terminating Mitchell at the time of the investigation, the district placed her on an improvement plan that included training and regular check-ins with Roby. Despite the plan, the district continued to receive complaints about Mitchell's leadership.

On March 12, Roby wrote in a letter to staff that she was concerned about Mitchell's ability as a deputy superintendent, noting that she received grievances from multiple departments.

Roby sent Mitchell a separate letter informing her that a recommendation had been sent to the board not to renew her contract.

The improvement plan has been unsuccessful, Roby concluded.

Mitchell was placed on administrative leave on March 11 as she awaits the next Board of Education meeting. The board will have to approve Roby's recommendation not to renew Mitchell's contract at the next meeting, scheduled for April 13.

Mitchell has an opportunity to meet with the school board later this month to discuss her employment.

Multiple Administrators Now on Paid Leave

This development comes as another administrator with the district was recently placed on leave.

On March 27, Roby sent a letter to staff stating that Chief Area Instructional Leader Bridget Cheney had been placed on administrative leave until June. The superintendent did not elaborate on the reasoning, citing a personnel matter.

According to a GRPS spokesperson, four people employed as principals or higher are on paid administrative leave as of April 2, most as a result of investigations.

Those four are Alger Middle School principal Charlie Lovelady, Coit Creative Arts Academy interim principal Molly Ali, Deputy Superintendent Brandy Lovelady Mitchell, and Chief Area Instructional Officer Bridget Cheney.

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

Lovelady was the first to be placed on administrative leave on Feb. 6, after he was jailed for violating his drunk driving probation.

The reasons for the other three leaves are unknown, though Roby has been more transparent about Mitchell's situation.

Mitchell has a long resume in education. She started her career as a school counselor, and also served as a guidance classroom teacher, consultant, and principal before becoming deputy superintendent.

She was honored with a Scholar of Excellence and Educator to Watch award from Eastern Michigan University. Mitchell also serves on the Michigan Advisory Committee of the US Commission on Civil Rights and was elected to the Grand Rapids Community College Board of Trustees in 2020.

Roby sent Mitchell a separate letter informing her that a recommendation had been sent to the board not to renew her contract.

Our district is committed to transparency, which is why we are sharing this information promptly with our staff, Roby said in a letter obtained by 13 ON YOUR SIDE. Because this is a personnel matter, the district cannot comment further on the circumstances surrounding her leave.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for April 13, where the board will vote on Roby's recommendation.

Mitchell can request a closed session to discuss her employment due to the nature of the meeting.

Impact on District Operations

While on leave, chief area instructional leaders assumed Mitchell's roles at the district.

The chief area instructional leaders will assume Mitchell's roles while she was on leave, Roby explained.

The district has committed to transparency by sharing this information promptly with staff, though the full extent of the investigation remains under review.

The board will have to approve Roby's recommendation not to renew Mitchell's contract at the next meeting.

This personnel matter comes during a challenging time for Grand Rapids Public Schools, with multiple administrative changes and ongoing investigations affecting district leadership.