Dr. Andrae Townsel will be the next superintendent of Benton Harbor Area Schools. At a Monday meeting, the board of education voted to hire Townsel for the post. He’s a Detroit native who currently works as assistant superintendent at Wayne-Westland Community Schools in that area. Townsel told WSJM News what he’ll do first when he starts the new job.
“I’ve got to know the community,” Townsel said. “I have to hit the ground, learn who our senior leadership team is in the district, and build that trusting relationship.”
We asked Townsel what he wants parents in the community to know.
“I want the parents to know that I’m committed to their kids. Their kids are their precious jewels, and they need educators and administrators and people that are responsible for educating those kids to truly love them and ensure that their future is bright, to change the trajectory of whatever their future is now to make sure they go off to somebody’s college, to a really nice career opportunity and to just be prepared for life, in our regional society, but also in our global society.”
Townsel beats out Benton Harbor Area Schools Interim Superintendent Patricia Robinson. A motion to hire her failed on a three to four vote, while the vote to hire Townsel passed four to three. However, the school board then voted on Townsel a second time to signal its unanimous support for him as he comes in as superintendent. The board has now met its goal to select a superintendent by the end of the month. Contract negotiations with Townsel will now begin.
