UNION CITY, MI (WTVB) – A divided Union City Community Schools Board of Education picked Chris Katz as the district’s next Superintendent on Wednesday night but he was not their first choice during an emotional five-and-a-half hour meeting that did not finish until after 11:00 p.m..
After interviewing Katz and Choice Schools Chief Academic Officer Chris Ruiter, the board initially voted 5-2 to offer the position to Ruiter. Ruiter’s resume includes time as a special education teacher in the Union City Community School District between 1999 and 2002.
Over a half hour of public comment took place after the vote. Katz is a long time employee in the Union City school district who currently serves in I.T. as the district’s Chief Information Officer. Several audience members which included staff and teachers were passionate in expressing their support for him.
When there was an attempt to adjourn the meeting, Board member David Mathis motioned for the board to reconsider their decision.
His motion to reconsider passed 4-3. After further discussion, the board once again voted 4-3 to offer the Superintendents position to Katz. They then voted 7-0 to support the new Superintendent.
A special school board meeting will likely be scheduled for next Wednesday night since the new Superintendents first day on the job will be on July 1.
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