Ben Shuldiner speaks out after not being selected for job in Las Vegas

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Tuesday, Lansing School District Superintendent Ben Shuldiner spoke for the first time since he came up short of becoming the Clark County superintendent in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Shuldiner had advanced to the final three candidates in the hiring process for the 5th largest school district in the country. Shuldiner says he learned a lot during the job campaign while talking to other leaders and seeing how other districts work.

Back in February, Shuldner said in a statement that he was not actively seeking a new job and that he was invited to apply for the role in Nevada. On Tuesday, he re-affirmed that statement.

“I’m looking to be here as long as I can,” Shuldiner said. “You know, I’m really proud of the work that we’re doing and there’s still a lot more to be done, but you know, I want everybody at home to rest assured, I’m not actively searching, I’m not unhappy. It’s not like I’m trying to look to leave you know, but when the fifth largest school district in the country calls you, you’re going to pick up the phone.

The Clark County School District voted unanimously to hire the Nevada state school superintendent Jhone Ebert. Shuldiner added that he understood the hire but admitted he was a little sad he didn’t get the job.

“You know when you’re you’re trying for something and you don’t get it, there’s a little bit of a, you know, a sadness, a disappointment,” Shuldiner said. ”But you know what, I’m really honored that I was there and the person they chose is their state superintendent who knows the district very well. Jhone is a terrific educator. I completely understand why the board did it."

Shuldiner also added that the trip was a great learning experience not only for himself but for the Lansing School District as well.

“I also saw how other school districts work and it’s really terrific,” Shuldiner said. ”I mean, you know, I met with the community, we met with the Chambers of Commerce, I met with the politicians, I met with the school board and parents and it was, it was a wonderful, wonderful experience."

Shuldiner thanked the Lansing community as well saying he wouldn’t have gotten as far as he did without them.

“I want to thank the Lansing community, the outpouring of support and just congratulations was incredible,” he said. “To be a finalist not only to be in the first round but to be the finalist of the fifth largest school district in the country, what that really says is the work that we’re all doing in Lansing is really special and I want to thank everybody because I couldn’t have done it alone.”

Shuldiner has been the Lansing School District superintendent for nearly four years, having been hired in March of 2021. Before becoming Superintendent of LSD, Shuldiner was a Dean’s Fellow and Distinguished Lecturer at Hunter College in New York. While at Hunter College, Shuldiner was a board member for New York City schools, the largest school district in the United States.

At the start of March, Shuldiner and the Lansing School District announced the district had reached a record graduation rate of 88%. Over the past three years, graduation rates have increased in the district by 26%. The district also saw a 12% decrease in its drop-out rate from 2021 to 2024.

The district beat its goal of reaching an 85% graduation rate by 2025.

Continue reading: Michigan reaches record-high graduation rate

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