GRPS UPDATE WGVU NEWS (wgvu) - WGVU NEWS HAS BEEN LOOKING INTO A SENSITIVE SITUATION INSIDE THE GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOL DISTRICT. IT INVOLVES A HIGHLY PAID EXECUTIVE POSITION FILLED BY A CANDIDATE WHO FELL SHORT OF MEETING POSTED JOB REQUIREMENTS BUT WAS HIRED ANYWAY.

THE JOB: A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS, FOR THE DISTRICT, ADVERTISED AT A STARTING ANNUAL SALARY OF BETWEEN 95 AND 105 THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE POSTING REQUIRED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, A BACHELOR'S DEGREE, WITH A MASTER'S, LAW OR OTHER ADVANCED DEGREE PREFERRED.

WE FOUND THAT THE PERSON WHO GOT THE JOB HAD NO DEGREE OF ANY KIND, ONLY THREE YEARS AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY.

IT TURNS OUT THAT EVEN IF A CANDIDATE---FOR A NON TEACHING POSITION-- FAILS TO MEET THE POSTED REQUIREMENTS, THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO HIRE THAT CANDIDATE IF HE OR SHE IS THE BEST QUALIFIED AND IT'S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE DISTRICT. THAT'S THE WORD FROM SUPERINTENDENT DR. BERNARD TAYLOR.

AS THE DISTRICT'S TOP SALARIED ADMINISTRATOR, TAYLOR SAID HIS CONTRACT GIVES HIM LEEWAY IN HIRING FOR CERTAIN NON-TEACHING JOBS, BUT ONLY A THROUGH A THOROUGH SEARCH COMMITTEE SCREENING PROCESS.

BUT ULTIMATELY NO REPOSTING OR READVERTISING OF THE JOB IS REQUIRED BY EITHER HIS CONTRACT OR DISTRICT POLICY.

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