News

Gray staying with Owosso schools

By GARY WEBSTER Argus-Press Education Editor

Monday, February 11, 2008 10:01 AM EST

It turns out Greg Gray was already “home.”

“Like I said, ‘I love Owosso,'” Gray, superintendent of Owosso Public Schools, reiterated Saturday while relating he had been eliminated as a candidate for the superintendent's position at his alma mater, Grand Ledge Public Schools.

Gray, after applying for the Grand Ledge job, said: “My wife (Chris) and I are both from Grand Ledge. Her family and mine still live there. I love Owosso, but Grand Ledge is my hometown.”

Preliminary interviews of six finalists for the Grand Ledge position were conducted last week. Gray was not among three chosen for second interviews and site visits.

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 at Owosso's central office as a senior accountant.

Grand Ledge's superintendent finalists have been narrowed to:

n Dale Martin, superintendent in Downers Grove, Ill., and a 44-year educator.

n Steve Matthews, director of curriculum for Troy Community Schools who is a former professor in the School of Education at the University of Michigan.

n Christopher Rundle, superintendent of Harrison Community Schools who is a former Michigan State Police post commander.

Comment on this Story

4ourkids wrote on Feb 17, 2008 11:18 AM:

" Movedout makes a good point , but one in my estimation that does not tie into Greg Gray's job search. Yes, this town is very conservative, too much so, but it is not Greg Gray's fault nor does his search for his ideal job make him part of that. I believe you would find that to be just the opposite. It is our city fathers who have who have kept Owosso on the verge of the 1950's for as long as it has. Not that in whole that is all bad. I personally like the days of more personal dealings with merchants and neighbors, a small town appeal that is welcoming and safe. But I don't mean safe from the outside world because we can't buffer ourselves or our kids from this " global " world we are now living in. And you can't keep all of the outside influences at the city limit edge, good or bad.
Partof Mr.Grays influence is to ready our kids for everthing that they will have thrown their way in a very short time. And he does a good job of that, period. And we are lucky to still have him here. "

MovedOut wrote on Feb 14, 2008 1:18 PM:

" For those that do not like negative views and comments, you live in the right town. Owosso has been mid-Michigans leading conservative, non-progressive, stuck in the mud town for the last 1/2 century. The men like Gould, Woodbury, Dewey would be ashamed now. When people try to help Owosso to be assertive and progressive like, oh, I don't know, having the leader of our School system thinking of Owosso first, and not trying to take the fastest train out of town and making it public, people like 4ourkids want to make it about them. Glad I am out. "

4ourkids wrote on Feb 14, 2008 10:35 AM:

" Grand Ledge's loss is our gain and I wish those with their negative views and comments realized this. Mr. Gray and his Wife cannot be be faulted for wanting to live in their hometown and nearer family. As I stated last week, what Greg Gray brings to this school district is a fresh approach to dealing with the issues facing our children in today's tough world but with the integrity and values of our parents generation. And by the way, let anyone who has incorrectly spelled a word or used a phrase incorrecly cast the first stone. I doubt there will many thrown. "

Owossoite54 wrote on Feb 13, 2008 10:52 AM:

" Hooray.. Owosso came in 2nd choice.. "

Diane Carl wrote on Feb 11, 2008 7:40 PM:

" I am glad that Greg (and Chris) are staying in Owosso. He is an asset to the schools and I don't blame him for wanting to go home. We would all want that! Great things are happening in Owosso under his direction and it has an even brighter future now with the Gray's staying in town. "

OPS Supporter wrote on Feb 11, 2008 6:28 PM:

" I'm glad Mr. Gray is staying but I hope this doesn't mean that he will be updating his resume and sending it out again? "