News

Owosso superintendent among Grand Ledge finalists

By GARY WEBSTER Argus-Press Education Editor

Monday, February 4, 2008 10:04 AM EST

OWOSSO - Greg Gray wants to go home.

Gray, superintendent of Owosso Public Schools for just over two years, is among six finalists for the superintendent's position at his alma mater, Grand Ledge Public Schools.

“Me and my wife (Chris) are both from Grand Ledge,” Gray said. “Her family and mine still live there. I love Owosso, but Grand Ledge is my hometown.”

Interviews for the Grand Ledge position will be conducted Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with Gray going face-to-face with the Grand Ledge hiring committee Tuesday at the Sawdon Administration Building. A second round of interviews is scheduled for Feb. 12-14.

Visits to candidates' districts will precede the expected March 3 naming of Grand Ledge's next superintendent, who is tentatively scheduled to take over the Lansing-area district's top educational spot in July.

Grand Ledge's superintendent position became vacant when Marsha Wells left for Portage almost a year ago. Curriculum coordinator Kathy Peasley has served as interim superintendent since Wells' departure.

Gray, a 1990 graduate of Grand Ledge High School, first came to Owosso in July of 2000 as assistant high school principal. After two years at Owosso High School, he was named principal at Owosso Middle School before succeeding Larry Audet as district superintendent in the middle of the 2005-06 school year.

Chris Gray works with her husband at Owosso's central office as a senior accountant.

In addition to Gray, Grand Ledge superintendent finalists are:

n Charles Chase, superintendent of Marion Public Schools.

n Dale Martin, superintendent in Downers Grove, Ill.

n Steve Matthews, director of curriculum for Troy Community Schools.

n Christopher Rundle, superintendent of Harrison Community Schools.

n Fred Williams, superintendent of Lincoln Consolidated Schools in Ypsilanti.

Comment on this Story

Owossoite54 wrote on Feb 8, 2008 3:40 PM:

" Hey Give me a break!! Divert the issue good move.. No one ever said he was a bad superintendent, which proves the most of you can't hold a 4 sentence thought for longer than 10 seconds. The comment was if he is that bent on leaving, then go, if your that bad at English to us "Me and My Wife.." how good can you be? You all need to wake up. "

Give me a break wrote on Feb 6, 2008 1:47 PM:

" Owosso idiots (such as the writer of Owossoite54 comment) are a pure example of Owosso's inability to move forward and will lead to the demise of Owosso. Greg Gray is an exceptional educator and leader. Wherever he goes they will appreciate his educational and leadership skills, as it is wasted on Owossoites. "

Owossoite54 wrote on Feb 6, 2008 10:55 AM:

" Wake up Unbiased! You school system is eroding and it is people like you that condone the mediocrity that allow it. "...give Owosso a bad name."... You make Owosso a bad city to live in, no wonder we are dying as a community. Please make plans to more with Mr. Gray will you dear? My guess is the "Well Wishers" are all teachers protecting their leader...blindly! "

Diane Carl, former secretary wrote on Feb 5, 2008 11:00 PM:

" I have had the pleasure of working for Greg Gray for the past 8 years before I left the district to move to Mason. He is truly an asset to the Owosso Public School District and the community of Owosso, as well. Yes, I know the staff, students, and teachers would be upset and disappointed if he left, but who can fault him for wanting to be closer to home and family? Greg and Chris, I wish you both luck wherever you end of working and living in Michigan. "

4ourkids wrote on Feb 5, 2008 4:07 PM:

" Anyone who has the pleasure of dealing with Mr. Gray know he is a man who has and does care for our children and their education. If you have school age Children ask one of them about Mr. Gray. They will tell you about a man who knows how to reach them on their level and communicate his ideals. How very important! "

FmrBrdMbr wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:39 PM:

" I am appalled by Mr. Gray's poor English skills. "Me and my wife..." I would expect much better from the leader of our school district. "

Unbiased wrote on Feb 5, 2008 12:30 PM:

" To the previous poster: You give Owosso a bad name. "

schuman4210 wrote on Feb 5, 2008 10:51 AM:

" Who said Mr. Gray was leaving? He is a candidate, but has not been selected. "

jasmine28 wrote on Feb 5, 2008 10:48 AM:

" I wish Mr. Gray well, he has been a great influence on our children. We are lucky to have had him while we did. "

Owossoite54 wrote on Feb 5, 2008 8:25 AM:

" Nice you support the school system in Owosso Mr Gray, and it is also a bonus that the tax payers can pay for your wife's job as well. Go home, we don't want anyone teaching our kids that do not have their interests first and foremost. You can take your great concept of English with you, "Me and my wife..." How typical of the system. Now we all understand why a lot of our teachers are bad, their leader is. "