Sun staff
Michael Brandt is the new superintendent of Clermont Northeastern School District. The CNE Board of Education approved the hire at its May 18 meeting.
“My top priority is to build communication systems,” said Brandt. “I want to meet the students, parents, teachers and other stakeholders to build bridges that allow for information to flow.”
Brandt received his bachelor’s of science degree from the University of Cincinnati and earned a master’s degree in education from Xavier University.
He was a teacher at Cincinnati Public Schools, and worked his way to a principal position and superintendent position. Brandt also taught education administration at the University of Cincinnati and Xavier University, where he still teaches.
Brandt will officially take over his new position at CNE on August 1, with a four-year contract.
“Qualities that stood out to me about Brandt are his vast experiences at Cincinnati Public Schools and Xavier University, where he’s currently teaching education administrators,” said CNE treasurer Brian Switzer.
Switzer added that he was looking for someone with experience managing budgets and staff, because of tight budget scenarios of the recent past.
“The current superintendent and treasurer have done a wonderful job of getting above the fiscal threshold,” said Brandt. “My job is to maintain the status of their good work. I’ll be a fiscal conservative and save when possible to be a good steward of our community’s tax dollars.”
Switzer is looking forward to working with Brandt on improving state report card scores.
“I thought I had the requisite skills to make a difference at CNE,” said Brandt, who learned about CNE through a colleague at Xavier University who bragged about the school district.
“Communication is one of my strengths. I listen well. I have learned to slow down to speed up. I am deliberate in my decision making.”
He added that he wants to talk with community members as he develops his plan for the school district.
“I want to engage people as I firm up my set of goals,” said Brandt. “I want to investigate the strategic plan to see if it’s the best fit for our district or engage the community in a new process.”
Brandt said another one of his strengths is he brings a strong background of best practices and research.
“My first priority is the coaching and the building of relationships of trust,” said Brandt. “It’s the growth-evoking principle of me.”
Brandt also wants to make sure that teachers have the resources they need to do their jobs.
“By the first day of school, I’ll have met the staff and I’ll be looking forward to introducing myself to students,” said Brandt. “I’ll be visiting every classroom on campus, including the preschool. It’s important to me that I let kids put a face to the name. It’ll be a good work day.”
One of the biggest misconceptions people have about superintendents is that they are omniscient, Brandt said.
“Some people think I have a crystal ball and that I know everything that goes on within the district, but I really rely on staff to send me information,” said Brandt.
“My goal is getting parents to trust me and share information with me so we can work together for the betterment of this community’s kids.”