By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Dr. Ted Haselman knows he is inheriting a lot of headaches when he takes over as superintendent of Bowling Green City Schools on Aug. 1.
The deep divisions among district residents. The antiquated school buildings. The failure of the district to pass a levy to replace decrepit schools. And a bond issue on the ballot in a few months.
“I’m a guy that likes to take on challenges,” Haselman said. “I’m not a status quo type of person.”
Haselman said he is coming into the new job with his eyes wide open.
“I did my research before I put my name in. I knew they were here,” he said of the challenges ahead. “They’re not surprises.”
To get a full grasp on the issues, Haselman is meeting with folks over breakfast, lunch, dinner, and lots of coffee in between. He figures he’ll be doing that for quite awhile.
“I’m doing a lot of listening and asking questions,” he said. “I want to gather as much information and learn as much as I can.”
As of this week, Haselman is still dividing his time between his old job as superintendent at Pike-Delta-York Schools, and his new job with BGCS. He’s been switching out his district lapel pins on the road between the two districts.
But as of Aug. 1, the red BG pin will stay put on his suit jackets and his focus will be solely on this district.
Who is Haselman?
Haselman hasn’t strayed far from home in his career. He grew up in Fulton County and graduated from Swanton High School in 1992. His dad was an accountant and his mom worked for the school district first as a cafeteria cashier and later handling payroll.
He started out studying business at University of Toledo, but quickly realized that didn’t feel quite right.
“I was torn between business and education,” Haselman said. “I remember calling home at Christmas time, talking to my dad, in tears.”
So in his second semester, he switched to business education. “The best of both worlds,” he said. Plus, this career path would lead to opportunities for him to coach basketball and football.
He played football as a quarterback for one year at UT. “I don’t look like it now,” he said with a grin.
Haselman started his teaching career at Perrysburg High School, where he taught computer classes and coached for 13 years. Meanwhile, he got his master’s from Marygrove College in Detroit and worked toward his administration certificate from University of Findlay.
Then in the 2009-2010 school year, Perrysburg School District was eyeing major staff cuts – with Haselman’s job on the chopping block with many others.
“We had just poured a basement for a new house,” so Haselman shifted his focus to administration in hopes of steady employment. He eventually came off the list of teachers to be cut, but he continued his pursuit of administrative work.
For the last 13 years, he has served in administration – five years as principal at Swanton Middle School and eight years as superintendent of Pike-Delta-York.
Getting acquainted with BG
With approximately 2,900 students, Bowling Green City Schools has more than double the enrollment of Pike-Delta-York. Haselman believes it’s a good fit for him.
“I really felt this would be a great place to land,” he said.
Haselman is busy getting immersed in the community. He’s bought a house in town, joined service organizations like Kiwanis, Exchange, Rotary clubs and the Chamber of Commerce. He’s hung out at the downtown Firefly Night events.
“I’m very impressed with the community. I have felt very, very welcome from day one,” he said. “It’s a beautiful, beautiful town.”
Haselman is planning to hold a series of coffee chats to get to know more about the school district and its people.
“I’m an everyday guy,” he said. “I’ve been entrusted to lead this school district. I don’t want to let people down.”
Haselman won’t be taking his cues from social media.
“I do not have a Facebook page. I do have a Twitter, but I’m not extremely active on it,” using it primarily to promote the school district, he said.
School finances and staff
With his business education background and experience teaching school finance at the University of Findlay, Haselman likes dealing with dollars and cents.
“That allows me to understand numbers.”
Though school finance is incredibly complicated, it all boils down to the basics, he said.
“You can only spend the money you have coming in.”
Haselman said he’s big on putting plans in place. “I’m very detail oriented and strategic.”
With a doctorate in school leadership, Haselman hopes to pave a new path for BG Schools.
“It’s about leading our district leaders into continuous improvement.”
He knows it’s the people in the schools that drive the district.
“We’re only as good as the people we have. I truly believe it takes every single staff person,” he said, listing off the importance of quality teachers, office staff, bus drivers, cleaning staff, and cafeteria workers.
“Every one of those are key to a great organization.”
Winning over opposition
Haselman believes that spreading the good news about BG Schools is a big deal. He wants to share student successes in academics, arts, athletics and leadership. He sees the value of publicizing news on fiscal stewardship and involvement by parents and community members.
“Bowling Green City Schools has so many positives,” he said. “I think schools in general do a poor job of communicating the great jobs they do. I believe in sharing that with the community on a regular basis.”
Haselman is hoping he can win over the strong opposition to new school buildings from the rural areas of the district.
“I would like to think so.” He has sat down with some rural residents, and plans to continue doing so – with 95% of the discussions being him listening.
“We’re all one community. I would like to think they believe that as well.”
His primary focus in decision making is two-pronged.
“How does it impact kids? How does it bring value to our community?” he said. “I’m passionate about leading this organization and leading the community.”
