Deputy Superintendent Placed on Administrative Leave, Contract Not Renewed

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Grand Rapids Public Schools has placed deputy superintendent Dr. Brandy Lovelady Mitchell on administrative leave through the end of the school year and recommended that her contract not be renewed beyond June 30.

The decision comes after a 2024 investigation found that Mitchell's leadership style had a "detrimental impact" on staff and that her supervisory methods created a "culture of devaluing members of her staff."

Superintendent Dr. Leadriane Roby wrote to the district's Board of Education on March 12 recommending that Mitchell's contract not be renewed after its expiration date on June 30. Roby cited the 2024 investigation as the reasoning for the recommendation.

Improvement Plan Failed to Resolve Issues

When the initial investigation concluded, the district did not terminate Mitchell at that time. Instead, she was placed on an improvement plan that included:

• Leadership training
• Meetings with external consultants
• Coaching
• Regular check-ins with Superintendent Roby

Despite this comprehensive plan, the district continued to receive complaints about Mitchell's leadership, according to Roby's letter published by local Fox affiliate WXMI.

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

Two Administrators Now on Leave

This marks the second administrator placement at GRPS to be put on administrative leave this month. Chief Area Instructional Leader Bridget Cheney, who oversees the southeast quadrant, was placed on leave on March 27 until June.

Roby sent a letter to staff explaining that chief area instructional leaders would assume Mitchell's 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," Roby said in the letter.

It is not clear if there is any connection between Cheney and Mitchell's leaves.

Mitchell's Background

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.

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.

Next Steps

The Board of Education is scheduled to meet on April 13 to vote on Roby's recommendation to not renew Mitchell's contract. Mitchell has the opportunity to request a closed session due to the nature of the meeting.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Grand Rapids Public Schools, Roby and Mitchell for comment.

Sources

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