GP Schools Hires 2 Curriculum Directors

The will be looking for another principal after 's leader, Maureen G. Bur, accepted a new position as the director of elementary curriculum.

Her change in jobs within the district was announced to Grosse Pointe Public School Board members this week along with the hiring of Aaron Johnson as the director of secondary curriculum. Johnson is currently the principal/head of school at Harrison High School in Farmington Hills.

Both are slated to begin their new positions next week.

They replace and Lee Warras. and Warras is retiring after 43 years with the district.

Rather than being assistant superintendents, district officials re-organized the jobs to split up the duties to allow for a better focus in both areas: elementary and secondary curriculum.

Bur said following the announcement this week that the decision to leave Kerby was difficult but the fact that she will have a positive impact upon more students is ultimately what made the decision easier.

With all of the changes happening in education right now, Bur saw the position as an opportunity, she said, noting she is looking forward to establishing a vision and a plan.

Bur has been the principal of Kerby Elementary since 2003. She worked as an administrative intern at prior to that and taught science both at Brownell and Regina High School.

Johnson's departure from Farmington Public Schools was announced this week after he formally accepted the new position at Grosse Pointe Schools. He first began working for  as its assistant principal in 2005 and then took the Harrison post in 2008.

The district statement indicated that Johnson's last day will be June 30, but he will be available to spend time with the selected principal during the transition process.

Grosse Pointe Public Schools Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Jon Dean said he was pleased with the quality of candidates who applied for the positions. The district had its choice of candidates for these positions and Dean is hopeful the same quality of candidates will submit applications for the North High School principal position. 

 of Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch contributed to this story.