Michigan Association of School Administrators (MASA) on November 15, 2010, named Holland Public Schools superintendent Brian Davis as the 2011 Michigan Superintendent of the Year.

Executive Director William H. Mayes visited the Holland Public Schools (HPS) Board of Education meeting November 15, 2010, to announce that Davis had been named 2011 Michigan Superintendent of the Year.

“This is a most prestigious honor,” said Mayes during the presentation. “You can be proud to have been chosen from a group of highly qualified nominees. It is clear to me—as it was to our selection committee—that Brian Davis is a transformational leader who has embraced the notion that all children can learn, and he is committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure they are prepared to succeed in the 21^st century.”

Earlier in November, a panel of distinguished judges selected Davis from a pool of highly qualified nominees. The selection of the Michigan recipient is part of the American Association of School Administrator’s National Superintendent of the Year Program. As the MASA honoree, Davis also becomes a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year Award.

“Brian Davis is an extraordinary leader,” wrote Holland Board of Education Vice-President Susan DeJong in her nomination letter. “He is an example of what is right about public education; he is devoted to innovation and excellence, and is not afraid to face challenges with creative solutions.”

Mr. Davis was selected by a distinguished panel representing Michigan’s various education stakeholders, including the Michigan Board of Education, parents, business officials, school boards, principals, and higher education. MASA will recognize Davis at its Midwinter Conference in Kalamazoo in January 2011. He will have opportunities throughout the year to address superintendents statewide, and his name will be inscribed on a commemorative plaque on display at the MASA office in Lansing. 

The Superintendent of the Year Award is presented by MASA to one member who has shown tremendous effort and dedication to enriching the lives of children and the community as a whole.  Mr. Davis is recognized for his transformational leadership that is achieving dramatic results for students.

As evidence, nominators pointed to Davis’ commitment to school improvement despite economic and demographic challenges. Recognizing the need for repair and modernization of the district’s historic buildings, Davis built a case for reform, then recruited support for the passage in May 2010 of a $73 million bond. Together with a $7 million sinking fund, the bond will fund new projects that will provide energy efficient, safe and flexible facilities, ready to meet the needs of today’s students.

Nominators say upgrading the facilities is only one step to improving education in the district. In the end, by an overwhelming majority, the community gave their stamp of approval not for bricks and mortar, but for the new and exciting educational direction Davis is taking.

“The bond issue never would have passed if it was just about the physical plant,” HPS Board of Education president Stephen P. Grose said. “The bond passed because our community bought into the vision for education and our community.”

That vision includes exploring new models for learning, higher accountability for staff, and sacrificial leadership. Most of all, it embraces and celebrates Holland’s diverse student body and holds out high expectations for every student.

“Superintendent Davis continues to raise the bar for student performance and continues to research and implement innovative programming,” Grose said. “Brian has a resolve, which is supported by the Board of Education, that our students deserve the best.”

That best includes—so far—a district re-organization, the opening of a New Tech High School, and a new era of clear and measurable goals for all staff members. Only in his third year as superintendent of Holland Public Schools, his board says Davis has arguably accomplished more already than many do in an entire career.

“It is an honor to have Brian Davis lead our district and be the educational leader in our community,” Grose concluded in his nomination letter. “As I said in a conversation about the documentary ‘Waiting for Superman,’ Holland Public Schools is very fortunate; our Superman arrived when we hired Brian Davis.

MASA is a statewide association that represents the superintendents and first-line administrators of Michigan’s local and intermediate school districts. The mission of MASA is to develop leadership and unity within its membership to achieve the continuous improvement of public education in Michigan.