Benton Harbor, Mich. — In partnership with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), Benton Harbor Area Schools (BHAS) has entered the interview & selection phases of its superintendent search process. On Saturday, June 7, the BHAS Board of Education held a special meeting and selected six highly qualified candidates to advance to the first round of interviews.
Board President Dashuna Robinson stated, “With the phenomenal support of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, the Board of Education has selected 6 viable and transformative candidates whose professional experiences are in alignment with our district's mission, vision, and goals.”
The selection was made following an in-depth review of applicant materials. Each candidate brings unique strengths and experiences aligned with BHAS’s mission to educate, guide, and inspire students by developing their skills and knowledge to be globally competitive.
First-Round Superintendent Candidates:
Mr. Jeff Dase
Deputy Superintendent, Rock Island-Milan School District (IL)
Dr. Simone Griffin
Regional Director, Learnwell Educational Services (IL)
Dr. Stephanie Jones
Director of Special Education, CCSD 168 (IL)
Dr. Dallas Lee
Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services and Opportunities, Elementary School District 159 (IL)
Mr. Donald Pearson
Former Superintendent, River of Life Christian School;
Former Principal, Benton Harbor High School (MI)
Dr. Rena Whitten
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services and Equity, Thornton Fractional High School District 215 (IL)
Next Steps:
“We are both excited and impressed with our current candidate pool, and strongly encourage attendance and feedback from all community stakeholders at our upcoming candidate interviews”, Robinson added. “Please join us in the selection of the Superintendent who will elevate our district to new heights.”
All six candidates will participate in first-round interviews. The Board of Education will hold a special meeting on Saturday, June 14, at 8 a.m., with interviews to begin at 10 a.m. During this meeting, the Board will also identify an Interim Superintendent to briefly serve the district until the hiring process is complete.
Superintendent Search Timeline:
The timeline for the remainder of the superintendent selection process is as follows:
June 14, 2025, at 10 a.m.
First-round interviews will be held with all six candidates. The Board will also select an Interim Superintendent.June 24, 2025, at 6 p.m.
Finalists will return for second-round interviews and take part in a public Meet & Greet. The community is encouraged to attend and provide feedback.
June 25 - July 7, 2025
A comprehensive background check will be conducted on finalist candidates.
July 8, 2025
The Board anticipates announcing the selection of the next Superintendent, pending contract negotiations.
“We remain dedicated to the success of Benton Harbor Area Schools and will continue to prioritize the academic achievement and prosperity of our district,” Robinson concluded. For more information and ongoing updates, visit www.bhas.org/superintendentsearch.