Deputy Superintendent Placed on Leave, Contract Not Recommended Beyond June 30

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Public Schools has recommended that the employment contract for Dr. Brandy Lovelady-Mitchell not be renewed beyond June 30, following a series of complaints about her leadership style and management approach.

The recommendation comes from Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby, who wrote to the school board on March 12 explaining the decision. Dr. Lovelady-Mitchell, who oversees preschool through 12th grade learning and leadership, was placed on administrative leave in early March through the end of the school year.

2024 Investigation Cited Leadership Issues

According to letters from Roby to the school board and Dr. Lovelady-Mitchell, the deputy superintendent is accused of creating a culture that devalued members of her staff. A 2024 investigation into the issues found that her leadership style and staff interactions had a detrimental impact.

The investigation also determined that her supervisory methods and management approach created a culture of devaluing employees. Rather than terminating Dr. Lovelady-Mitchell at the time of the investigation, the district placed her on an improvement plan that included training and regular check-ins with Superintendent Dr. Roby.

Improvement Plan Deemed Unsuccessful

Following the completion of the improvement plan, the district received further complaints about Dr. Lovelady-Mitchell, and Superintendent Roby continued to have concerns regarding her effectiveness. A letter made available by the district revealed that the improvement plan has been unsuccessful.

"The improvement plan has been unsuccessful," Superintendent Roby concluded in her letter to the school board.

Board Meeting Scheduled for April 13

Dr. Lovelady-Mitchell will have an opportunity to meet with the school board later this month to discuss her employment. The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for April 13, where the board will have to approve Superintendent Roby's recommendation not to renew her contract.

Mitchell has the opportunity to request a closed session due to the nature of the meeting. The district sent a letter to staff on March 27 explaining that the chief area instructional leaders would assume her roles while she was on leave.

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

Dr. Lovelady-Mitchell's Background

Dr. Lovelady-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, according to her school profile.

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.

The district has reached out to Dr. Lovelady-Mitchell for comment.

Sources

• https://www.fox17online.com/news/local-news/grand-rapids/grps-deputy-superintendent-faces-contract-non-renewal-over-staff-complaints
• https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15702405/grand-rapids-school-district-boss-fired.html