Superintendent Search

The ZPS Board of Education will conduct a search for the next superintendent of schools under the direction of Mark Dobias. Current Superintendent Calvin De Kuiper will retire on June 30, 2021.

April 16, 2021 Update:  Mendham to be Named Next Superintendent of Zeeland Public Schools

In a 6-0 vote, the ZPS Board of Education voted unanimously Friday to enter into contract negotiations with Dr. Brandi-Lyn Mendham as the next superintendent of Zeeland Schools. Dr. Mendham currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, a position she has held since 2014. Her new contract is slated to begin July 1.   

Mendham interviewed in-person with the Board of Education and the community was invited to participate via Zoom. Combined, over sixty-five were in attendance. 

Dr. Mendham succeeds Calvin De Kuiper who is retiring June 30. She will be the 14th superintendent, and first female superintendent, for Zeeland Schools. 

Contract negotiations will begin next week. The superintendent search was led by Mark Dobias, Consultant with Michigan Association of School Boards. 

March 31, 2021 update froM the Board of Education

opinion survey

An opinion survey was nade available to provide personal input regarding the experience, expertise, and character traits of the next superintendent. The survey closed on March 10 at 4:00 pm.

Timeline of EventS

The Board of Education held a special meeting Monday, March 8 with MASB Consultant Mark Dobias. The timeline for the superintendent search was finalized and is shared below.

Preliminary Planning Process
March 15         Stakeholder Input Closes
March 22         Special Board Meeting 4:00 pm to review survey feedback, review draft and finalize the candidate profile, and approve the position posting.

Internal Application Process
March 23          Internal Application Period Begins
March 28          Internal Application Period Closes at 4:00 p.m.
March 30          Board Receives Access to Applicant Materials
March 31          Board Meeting to Select Candidates to Interview 4:00 pm
                         Board Finalizes Interview Schedule and Questions
April 16             First Round Interviews 4:00 pm. The Board and candidates will meet in person. All others are invited to attend via a virtual link will be posted in advance on the district website and shared via a Z For Me. Opportunities to submit questions and provide feedback will be completed virtually.
April 17             Begin Negotiations with Candidate or Begin External Search

virtual sessions (completed)

Community members who wish to take part in a virtual input session are welcome to submit their interest before 8 am on March 1. This form is recommended only for those who wish to speak.  Each session is limited to 25 individuals. Those who wish to only watch, and not speak, can do so with a link that will be posted below in advance of both sessions. Currently, sessions being offered for the community include

• March 3 at 9:30 AM click to attend
• March 4 at 7:00 PM click to attend

Those who indicated a desire to participate have been emailed a Zoom link and directions.

Contact Information

If you wish to submit a comment or have a question regarding the superintendent search, please email one of the contacts listed below.

Mark Dobias, Consultant

Tom DenHerder, ZPS BOE President

Ginger Smith, ZPS Community Relations Manager