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Superintendent Search

Superintendent Selection Announcement

The Dexter Community Schools Board of Education is pleased to announce the selection of Ryan Bruder to be the next Superintendent of Dexter Community Schools upon the retirement of Dr. Chris Timmis in February, 2026. Mr. Bruder began his career with Dexter Community Schools in 2016 as the Principal of Bates Elementary School.  Later, he moved with the Bates staff to Beacon Elementary as the Principal and currently serves as the Executive Director of Instruction.  Mr. Bruder is also a Dexter High School alumnus.  

The Board of Education’s search for a new Superintendent has been timely and thorough. Following Dr. Timmis’s May announcement, the Board engaged Dr. John Silveri of Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) to assist with the search. In addition to a community-wide survey asking what qualities staff, students, and families value in a superintendent, MLI hosted in-person forums where various groups of stakeholders asked questions about the process and offered input. In addition to the formal opportunities for feedback, trustees fielded a considerable number of individual contacts regarding the search. Because the District had three highly qualified and experienced internal candidates, the Board decided to interview them before looking elsewhere. First-round interviews were held July 14th and 15th. On July 16, the Board had an MLI- facilitated discussion of the candidates’ strengths and experience, and selected two candidates for second interviews. On July 21st, second-round interviews took place. These included a 20-minute presentation from each candidate on their vision for the District. July 22nd, the Board met to discuss the candidates again, and ultimately selected Ryan Bruder as their choice. 

The Board will now begin the process of writing and negotiating a contract and will take formal action to hire Ryan Bruder at its August 11, 2025 regular meeting. At that time, the District will share additional details about Mr. Bruder and his vision for the District, as well as transition plans. 

Full search information and meeting recordings can be found on the District’s Superintendent Search page (https://www.dexterschools.org/district/superintendent-search) as well as on the District’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@dextercommunityschools).

Superintendent Search Announcement

On May 12th, DCS Superintendent Dr. Chris Timmis announced his retirement, effective February 28th, 2026. The Board of Education has partnered with the Michigan Leadership Institute to facilitate the search process.  The Board values the input of staff, families, and community members as they select the next leader for DCS and invite your participation in the process. This page includes all board and district communications on this topic, search meeting and interview recordings, and other relevant information. 

Superintendent Search Timeline

Search Timeline Agenda
Mon., May 19 Discussion at regular board meeting: consider hiring MLI to facilitate search; general process and timeline; discuss top ten candidate qualities from the same list that would be in the Community Survey.  
Fri., May 30  Posting announcement and Community Survey (open through June 9, 2025)
Thurs., June 5 Interactive feedback sessions hosted by MLI, all at the DHS Media Center
  • 12:30 – 1:15 p.m. – District Administration and Directors
  • 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. – DHS Students (*by invitation only)
  • 3:00-3:45 p.m. – District Staff – DHS & Creekside
  • 3:45 - 4:30 p.m. – District Staff – MC, Wylie, DEEC
  • 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. – Community Members 
Tues., June 24, 6:00pm Discuss search process, candidate qualities, develop candidate profile
Tues. July 8, 6:00pm Review applicants, select interviewees, and prepare first-round questions
Mon. July 14, 6:30pm* First-round interviews
*immediately following the business meeting at 6pm; interviews start no earlier than 6:30pm but may start later 
Tues. July 15, 6:00pm First-round interviews 
Wed., July 16, 6:00pm

Select finalists
Mon., July 21, 6:00pm Second-round interviews
Tues. July 22, 6:00pm Selection of Superintendent (tentative)
Mon. Aug. 11, 7:00pm Board action to hire new Superintendent (tentative)

District and Board Communications

Board of Education Superintendent Search Update
Board of Education Superintendent Search Update

The Dexter Community Schools Board of Education is pleased to announce the candidates for Superintendent who will be moving forward to the second round interviews. 

  • Ryan Bruder, current Executive Director of Instruction
  • Melanie Nowak, current Principal of Dexter High School

The second round interviews will be held at a special meeting at 6:00pm on Monday, July 21st at Bates School, 2704 Baker Road, Dexter 48104. 

Read More about Board of Education Superintendent Search Update
Superintendent Search Update
Superintendent Search Update

Last night the Board of Education will be interviewing three internal candidates for the Superintendent position.

Interested community members are welcome to attend the interviews and will be encouraged to provide written feedback to the Board following each session. For those unable to attend in person, all interviews will be recorded and posted to the district YouTube channel (@DexterCommunitySchools) as soon as possible following the end of each round of interviews. Those watching the recorded sessions are invited to provide written feedback to the Board by email: boe@dexterschools.org. All Superintendent search information can be accessed in one location on our website or in the DCSD app.

Read More about Superintendent Search Update
Board of Education Superintendent Search Update
Board of Education Superintendent Search Update

On June 24, the Board of Education had a workshop to finalize our Superintendent search process and timeline as well as our position posting, which is open to internal candidates with  applications being accepted until July 5th at 4pm.

Thanks to your participation in our online survey and focus groups, the Board gathered valuable input on the qualities that matter most in our next Superintendent. Your feedback helped shape the candidate profile included in the position announcement and will guide the Board as we review applicants. Please read below for key dates.

Members of the DCS community are welcome to attend candidate interviews and will be offered the opportunity to provide written feedback to the Board at the end of each interview night. 

The Board is invested in finding the right candidate for Dexter Schools. Thank you for your support, feedback, and trust.

Read More about Board of Education Superintendent Search Update
Superintendent Search - Request for Community Input
Superintendent Search - Request for Community Input

The Dexter Community Schools Board of Education is beginning the search for our next superintendent and has partnered with the Michigan Leadership Institute to guide the process. Your input is incredibly important to us, as we want the selection of our next leader to reflect the needs and aspirations of our entire school community.

To ensure a broad and inclusive process, we are offering two opportunities for you to help shape the candidate profile, which will guide our search for the ideal superintendent.

Read More about Superintendent Search - Request for Community Input

 

Superintendent Search Meeting Videos

Position Posting