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By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HART — Following first-round interviews this week for the Hart Public Schools superintendent position, the list of four candidates was narrowed down to two — Hart High School Principal Brandon Bruce and former Fremont Public Schools Superintendent Brad Jacobs.
The other two candidates interviewed were Hart Middle School Principal Kevin Ackley and Engadine Consolidated School Superintendent Andrew Alvesteffer.
Brandon Bruce
Brandon Bruce was hired as the Hart High School principal last August. He was hired back at Hart Public Schools two years prior as the Spitler Elementary School principal after serving as superintendent of his alma mater in the Upper Peninsula, Gwinn Public Schools.
Prior to the UP superintendent job, he served as Hart High School principal from 2018-2021.
Bruce, a Central Michigan University alumnus, played football for the Chippewas. He has coached and officiated for many years
The Upper Peninsula native taught at Iron Mountain for a year. In Newberry, he then transitioned from teaching to administration. He served as a part-time teacher, part-time administrator and head football coach.
He began his teaching career in 1996 in Charlevoix, where he taught for four years. He spent the bulk of his administration career in Union City, where he was a middle school principal for 11 years.
Bruce obtained his bachelor’s degree in education in 1995 and then a master’s degree in administration from CMU.
Brad Jacobs
Bradley Jacobs is a Hart native who was a Hart Public Schools math and physical education teacher from 1990 to 2005. He coached football, wrestling and volleyball.
Jacobs has a master’s degree from Central Michigan University in physical education/sports administration and a bachelor’s degree from CMU in education with a major in mathematics and a minor in physical education.
Jacobs is currently employed as a planning executive for SitelogIQ, where works with Michigan public school districts to plan, pass, design, and implement bond projects.
He has served as superintendent for Fremont Public Schools in 2022-23 and Inland Lakes Schools, where he led the district for five years and also served as the athletic director for a year.
Jacobs was the Mason County Central High School principal from 2008-2016. He also served as the secondary complex supervisor from 2012-14 as well as the district curriculum coordinator.
From 2006-2008, he was the Saranac Community Schools High School principal. Prior to that, he was the Manton Consolidated Schools High School principal for one year.
Second-round interviews are scheduled for Monday, March 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the end of the regular board of education meeting at the Diman-Wolf Early Childhood Center. Prior to the interviews, a “meet-and-greet” with the candidates is set for 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Diman-Wolf.
“It is anticipated that following the conclusion of the interviews one candidate will be selected with whom to enter contract negotiations for the position,” said Consultant Mark Dobias with the Michigan Association of School Boards, which was contracted by the Hart Board of Education to facilitate the search.
“Both the ‘meet and greet’ and interviews are open to the public. The board encourages interested people to attend and is grateful for the turnout for the first-round interviews.”
The new school leader will take over for Superintendent Mark Platt, who will retire at the end of the school year.
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