Grosse Pointe Schools Superintendent Tom Harwood will ask the school board to approve his replacement tonight as assistant superindent of human resources. His selection is one of the fellow superintendent candidates: Michael Jon Dean.

Dean is the assistant superintendent for human resources at Birmingham Public Schools. He's been in the position about four years. He was one of the three finalists in Grosse Pointe's search for retired Superintendent C. Suzanne Klein.

If the school board approves the monthly human resources report presented by Harwood, who has officially taken the helm of the district but is likely still transitioning since his former position is not yet filled, Dean will begin with the district Feb. 13.

Dean's experience includes work as an elementary principal in Allen Park Public Schools; a principal in Algonac Community Schools; and high school math teacher in Algonac Community Schools and Detroit Public Schools, according to his application for superintendent.

The monthly report says Dean is in the process of earning is doctorate in education. During the public interview process, he said he was expected to finish his degree in December from Wayne State University.

He holds an education specialist degree from Saginaw Valley University, and his master's and bachelor's from Wayne State University. Dean also lives in the Pointes and has children in the district.

This is the second time the district has offered a different job to an applicant who interviewed publicly for another position. Cathryn Armstrong began at Parcells this month but made appearances before that as the new principal to replace Mark Mulholland, who is retiring at the end of the month.

Armstrong interviewed for the principal position at South High School. Harwood said she applied for both positions at the same time. South's position was filled first because it was already vacant whereas Mulholland gave several months worth of notice, allowing officials to prioritize in hiring.

Dean is the last in a series of hires made to fill administrative positions throughout the district to replace staff that resigned unexpectedly, retired or accepted employment elsewhere since last April.