SHELBY — Thirteen candidates recently applied to be the next middle school principal at Shelby City Schools.
Michael Browning, Shelby City Schools superintendent, said the candidate pool included applicants with varying levels of education and current experience. Andrew McFarland, formerly the assistant principal at Shelby Middle School, emerged from that pool.
Browning said McFarland “led the charge” among candidates and expressed confidence in his leadership.
“Andrew McFarland has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership throughout his tenure at Shelby City Schools,” the superintendent said. “His experience and commitment to our students and community make him the perfect fit for this role.”
“We are excited to see the positive impact he will continue to have on our middle school,” Browning said.
McFarland’s employment was finalized Tuesday evening during a special Shelby Board of Education meeting at the Davey A. Jones Little Theater.
McFarland’s teaching career began at Plymouth
McFarland’s career started in 2009 at Plymouth High School, teaching high school social studies and coaching baseball until 2014.
He then became the district’s athletic director for grades 7 through 12 from 2014 to 2017.
Prior to starting the 2017-2018 school year, McFarland began his journey in Shelby — as the middle school assistant principal.
Additionally, McFarland has been the middle school athletic director since 2021.
“I am honored and excited to take on the role of principal at Shelby Middle School,” he said. “Shelby Middle School is a great place to be.
“I look forward to carrying on all the positive things that have been established and working with staff, students and families to continue to find ways to make it even better.”
The board approved employing McFarland on a three-year contract Tuesday, which includes an annual salary of $102,644 and an Aug. 1 start date.
During Tuesday’s meeting, the newly hired middle school principal said he’s “learned a lot,” but is ready to continue growing in a new position.
“I’m excited to have Justin (Schroeder) too, by my side, to do it,” McFarland said.
Schroeder appointed as middle school assistant principal
Justin Schroeder is embarking on the next step in his professional career as well.
Schroeder, formerly an intervention specialist at Shelby High School, was approved for employment on a three-year deal to become the middle school assistant principal.
His contract includes an annual salary of $80,191 and begins Aug. 1.
Teaching algebra and geometry in the high school resource room, Schroeder’s time at Shelby City Schools began in the 2015-2016 school year.
He told board members he was grateful for the opportunity to “get his feet wet in the administrative realm.”
“(An administrative position) is something that I’ve longed for and I’m looking forward to the challenges,” Schroeder said.
“I’m looking forward to learning from him (McFarland) and from Michael (Browning) and Paul (Walker), and leaning on John (Gies) and Troy (Schwemley) as well,” he said.
In other action, the Shelby Board of Education:
— elected Kim Nadolsky, vice president of the board, as treasurer pro-temp.
— approved the employment of Tracy Montgomery on a one-year contract to teach English to grades 7-12 at Shelby High School.
— designated Paul Walker, the district’s assistant superintendent and director of curriculum, as the district’s Title IX coordinator.
