State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Glenn Maleyko speaks at the Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators Region I meeting on Wednesday on the campus of Northern Michigan University. (Journal photo by Annie Lippert)

MARQUETTE — The Michigan Association of Superintendents and Administrators Region I meeting was held on Wednesday at the Northern Center on the Northern Michigan University campus. In attendance was Dr. Glenn Maleyko, who took the office of state superintendent at the end of last year.

His presence at the meeting was part of a longer, week-long tour of schools in the Upper Peninsula.

“I started in Detour, and we’re going to Bessemer, and along the way we’re visiting schools,” said Maleyko. “Just to build relationships and get an understanding.”

Maleyko worked for three decades in the Dearborn Public School System, first as an elementary school teacher, then as a principal and superintendent.

“I’ve been in Northern Michigan touring as well in other areas to get a better understanding of small rural districts and what the challenges are. I’ve already been learning a lot of things.

“I also learned some overlap across the state with needs that we have with funding and resources and literacy. And teacher shortages, special education certified, and career and technical. Those are similarities, but then I’m learning differences of challenges with transportation when kids are an hour and a half in the morning to an hour and a half after (commuting to school), maybe not having medical services readily available, so schools are trying to fill that gap as part of the hub of the community.”

Maleyko made the opening remarks at the meeting, which was attended by superintendents and administrators from across the Upper Peninsula.

“The visit (to the Upper Peninsula) isn’t really about just showing up,” said Maleyko to the assembled MASA members. “It’s listening, learning, building stronger partnerships.”

Maleyko is known for his “students first” philosophy, a slogan which he keeps on a banner in his jacket pocket.

“I know we’re going to have some conversation, but truly I do want to understand, because I worked in a larger, urban, suburban district, I don’t have the same experience with rural,” said Maleyko.

After his opening comments, there was a round-table discussion where U.P. superintendents and administrators asked Maleyko questions. These questions focused on topics such as U.P. specific support, supporting students with mental health needs and collaboration around messaging to legislators.

“One of the takeaways that we expect from your time in the U.P. is, obviously, the significant geography that this land mass encompasses,” said one MASA member in attendance. “Oftentimes, I think, as educators, leaders, in the Upper Peninsula, we have felt as if implementation, with regard to some of the state policy, was an after throught for rural Michigan.

“Moving forward, we wonder if there might be support for rural and, specifically, an Upper Peninsula ombudsman, to be the liaison with the Department of Public Education to help communicate the nuances that are sometimes necessary for educational policy.”

“I would be very open to it,” said Maleyko, citing under staffing and funding concerns as potential roadblocks to implementation. “I’m up here for a visit, but it’s one week, and I know I can call you all, but somebody that is day-to-day, I think, is what you’re looking for. (Someone) that understands what you understand. So I’d be overall supportive, but I think we need to advocate with the state and fund it.”

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.