Eaton Rapids' DeFrance Touts Business Know-How in Superintendent Interview

In the second of five interviews of Northville superintendent candidates, hopeful William DeFrance of the Eaton Rapids School District on Tuesday stressed his business experience as the school district faces a budget crisis.

As DeFrance took questions from the and the community, a recurring subject was financial issues. DeFrance was consistently emphatic that his background in business most qualifies him for the job. "The fact is, I do know how to run a kid business,"  he said. "And I can do that with great stewardship."

The businessman-turned-educator touted his career switch as being demonstrative of his ability to adapt and get results. "I thought I could do this job better than the job I saw being done," the former Ameritech employee said of his choice to switch careers.

The board asked DeFrance, who is a friend of outgoing superintendent Leonard Rezmierski, about many subjects, ranging from budgets to politics to management styles in a scripted interview to ensure fairness, President Marilyn Price said. Board members took turns asking the questions.

On the subject of community relations, DeFrance said he believes it to be an essential part of a superintendent's job to get out and meet people in not only school events but also within the larger community. Part of his plan, which DeFrance said he has already implemented in Eaton Rapids, would include meeting with various departments, including police, Chamber of Commerce, politicians and others.

School board member Dottie Garrity asked about the place politics should have in a superintendent's job.

"With the exception of board members and the superintendent, you have no advocate for children in the state," he said. "Others have an agenda."

"I don't like it because I feel like a lobbyist," the former congressional fellow said. "But a good lobbyist creates a continuum … and is honest about the range of opportunities somebody has."

Maintaining a presence in the media has been part of this effort. DeFrance writes two columns, one syndicated column on education for Gannett Co. and another for a weekly business publication in the Lansing area.

When asked about the superintendent's role in advocacy, DeFrance cited an example. "Today, I was at a press conference for the Adair case," he said. "I think it's important to have the superintendent be an advocate for kids." DeFrance was called on to testify in the Adair case, which relates to full funding for state-mandated programs.

Board Trustee Joe Hige asked about DeFrance's leadership attributes. "The best class I ever took was a coaching class," DeFrance said. "My style is more of a coach. I have high expectations. Tell me what's going on. If you goof, I'll support you."

In regard to relating to the school board, DeFrance said: "My job is to serve you. I will help you do what you want. I will help you make decisions."