New superintendent on the job Tuesday, almost in the house

DEARBORN - Since the Dearborn Public School District (DPS) Board of Education tabbed him as the successor for current superintendent John Artis, Brian Whiston has met with several district administrators, DPS staffers, parents and concerned citizens in a number of settings.

He's even gone to an end-of-the-year reception for a group of retirees and spoken with them.

"People have just been calling me up asking me about different things," Whiston said.

Whiston, who comes to DPS after 11 years as Director of Government & Community Services for Oakland County ISD, has remained adamant about his high level of excitement for his new post, which he takes Tuesday. Soon after the board on May 12 unanimously chose Whiston over two other finalists — Eaton Rapids School District Superintendent Bill DeFrance and Harper Woods School District Superintendent Theresa Spencer — he went out to look for a home to purchase in Dearborn, as making he and his family a part of the Dearborn community has remained important to Whiston.

"We bought a home on Mohawk in the Dearborn Hills subdivision and we move in Oct. 1," he said.

Whiston will move into the school district before he moves into his new home and he has some things on his agenda for when he first hits the DPS Administrative Office on Audette.

He said he wants to take a look at the district budget, which had to be cut by $6.3 million in order for revenues and expenditures to balance out.

"I want to get some indications of where we stand right now and make sure we're on solid ground," Whiston said.

The new DPS super also said he wants to have a look at district test scores to gauge where students are, as academic achievement has also been one of Whiston's sticking points.

Those sticking points played a role in Whiston being selected for the position. Members of the DPS board said Whiston stood out from the other candidates because of his "exciting ideas."

Those ideas include the implementation of reading and math programs at the elementary level to assist struggling students, the establishment of all-day kindergarten and the establishment of a "Dearborn Promise" to help assist students on their way to college.

DPS Board President Sharon Dulmage on May 12 said the board was thinking out of the box with its decision, citing Whiston's credentials as a lobbyist, a 19-year board of education member, and his "vast experience in business" as reasons behind the board's selection.

"I know some people will be upset with us because we didn't choose someone with more of an education background as a teacher or administrator, but (Whiston's) been the CEO in Oakland County for a while, so I think he's ready," Dulmage said last month.

Some controversy arose following Whiston being chosen as the next DPS superintendent, though.

Information surfaced that while serving as Oakland County ISD Director of Legislative Affairs, Whiston had an election law complaint filed against him.

State legislators also questioned Whiston, who also served as a lobbyist for the Oakland County Intermediate School District, about whether taxpayer dollars had been used improperly or unwisely by intermediate school district officials.

Whiston was also questions when former Oakland County ISD Superintendent James Redmond was charged with felony embezzlement, felony misconduct in office and misdemeanor conflict of interest in 2004.

DPS Board of Education members, who May 12 selected Whiston to succeed John Artis, said they were aware of these issues and that each subject was discussed at length during the interview process.

Whiston in 2004 acknowledged that an application form he used to establish the Heroes of Public Education political action committee was sent to him via an Oakland Schools fax machine.

Whiston said he was not investigated by law enforcement or the state attorney general's office during the meetings.

Whiston will be the fourth superintendent DPS Communications Coordinator David Mustonen has worked with in his eight years in the district — Interim Superintendent Karl Stueff, Jeremy Hughes and Artis are the others.

"Someone once said that change is the only constant in the world. I would agree with that statement as I have seen plenty of change during my eight years in the district," Mustonen said. "Dr. Artis has made some truly remarkable contributions to the schools and children who attend them and many aspects of his work will continue.

"Anytime there is change, people will feel a bit of uncertainty and uneasiness. However, someone else once said that change can be as good as a vacation. It can refresh the spirit and bring a feeling of excitement and anticipation.

"We are looking forward to Mr. Whiston's arrival on July 1 and all of us will be ready to go to work."

Even though he's sad to be leaving Oakland County, Whiston said he's ready to go to work at his new position, as well.

"I've worked with a lot of great people but this is exciting," Whiston said. "I'm ready to start something new."