Dr. Andrae Townsel will be the next superintendent of Benton Harbor Area Schools.
At a Monday meeting, the board of education voted to hire Townsel for the post. He’s a Detroit native who currently works as assistant superintendent at Wayne-Westland Community Schools in that area. Townsel told us the first thing he needs to do is meet the community stakeholders.
“I’ve got to know the community,” Townsel said. “I have to hit the ground, learn who our senior leadership team is in the district, and build that trusting relationship.”
Townsel said parents should know the new district leader cares about their kids and will lead a team that works for them.
“…and ensure that their future is bright, to change the trajectory of whatever their future is now to make sure they go off to somebody’s college, to a really nice career opportunity and to just be prepared for life, in our regional society, but also in our global society,” Townsel said.
Townsel beat out Benton Harbor Area Schools Interim Superintendent Patricia Robinson. A motion to hire her failed on a three to four vote, while the vote to hire Townsel passed four to three. However, the school board then voted on Townsel a second time to signal its unanimous support for him as he comes in as superintendent. The board has now met its goal to select a superintendent by the end of the month. Contract negotiations with Townsel will now begin.
