Chippewa Valley Names Roberts Superintendent

Five months after stepping into the role of interim superintendent of Chippewa Valley Schools, Ron Roberts has officially dropped the "interim" half of his title.

The former assistant superintendent of Educational Services, Roberts became interim superintendent when in January to join County Executive Mark Hackel as .

The Chippewa Valley Board of Education selected Roberts to become the district's ninth superintendent in a meeting earlier this week.

“After serving as interim superintendent for the past five months, the board really had an opportunity to see Mr. Roberts in action," said George Sobah, board vice president, in a release. "He has demonstrated his knowledge and his ability to lead our district through challenging times. We all decided after careful evaluation that we were very happy with the job he was doing."

Now the district's regular emcee for events such as Dakota High School’s and the , Roberts first came to the district in 1978 when he was hired as an elementary school teacher. He would teach first and fifth grade for 13 years before becoming assistant principal of Wyandot Middle School in 1991. 

After stints as principal of Miami Elementary and Cheyenne Elementary, he was named executive director of elementary education in 2004. Four months later, he was promoted to the position of assistant superintendent. 

"He has a proven track record with the district and in our opinion is the best person for the job at this time," Sobah said. "Mr. Roberts’ experience, education, and management style will be an asset to our district. We are very pleased and excited that he is willing to serve as superintendent of Chippewa Valley Schools and we expect great things from his leadership in the future."

It was under Roberts' direction as the district's top curriculum administrator that the district began development of the high school freshman centers, a Medical Careers Academy and a new research-based writing program at the elementary level.

Roberts also worked to bring the International Academy of Macomb International Baccalaureate High School into Chippewa Valley, implement the new Michigan Merit curriculum and install 21st century interactive technology in all district classrooms.

“I am honored to be chosen as the next superintendent of schools and I look forward to serving the Chippewa Valley Schools community," Roberts said, in a release. "I’ve spent the last 33 years as a teacher and administrator in this district and I can tell you there is no better place to be. We have a very supportive and involved school community … our parents, community members, business leaders, and students are outstanding and our staff is second to none."

However, the Chippewa Valley that Roberts will head next year is not without its problems. Facing a $13.8-million general fund deficit next year, due to reduced state funding and lower revenues, the district recently cut for the 2011-12 school year and has seen district employees take a series of concessions totaling $14.5 million in savings for the next two years.

"As an organization we face funding challenges from the state, but despite those challenges we will work together as a team to ensure that our district continues to offer a world-class 21st century education program and remains one of the top school districts in this state,” Roberts said.

Roberts will officially assume his new title on July 1.

Background

• Earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Oakland University.
• Earned a master’s degree in teaching from Saginaw Valley State University.
• Earned an education specialist degree from Michigan State University.
• While working as an elementary teacher, Roberts spent a year overseas in London as a Fulbright Foreign Exchange Teacher. 
• Is a two-term past president and current executive board member for the Macomb Association of Curriculum Administrators (MACA).
• Lives in Shelby Township with his wife Denise and has a daughter attending college.