Dr. Randy Liepa: A Roadmap for Creating High Reliability Schools

<p>Dr. Bob Maxfield and Dr. Suzanne Klein spoke with Dr. Randy Liepa, Superintendent of Wayne County Regional Education Service Agency (RESA), prior to his announced retirement in June, 2021. Dr. Liepa is well recognized for his leadership on the issue of school funding among Michigan superintendents and intermediate school district colleagues.Prior to his role as Superintendent of Wayne RESA, Dr. Liepa served as both business manager and superintendent for Livonia Public Schools.  As part of Launch Michigan, The Coalition for the Future of Detroit School Children, he worked with the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce; served as President of his local Chamber in Livonia, President of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA), and twice served as Chair of the Galileo Teacher Leadership Consortium Board. </p><p>An important priority during Dr. Liepa’s leadership, both as a local superintendent and at Wayne RESA, has been developing and putting in place processes. While superintendent in Livonia, he created a shared vision that still remains a part of the district Board policies.  That roadmap identified priorities and informed the district budgeting process, the long-term facility plan, and the school improvement plan. It also enabled the district to significantly renovate the school facilities, add innovative programs such as the first Japanese immersion program, offer an International Baccalaureate program, and preserve a variety of programs during an era of budget cuts.“That was all based on having those key components in place; a roadmap, a plan and, if we follow the plan, we're going to continue to provide educational opportunities for students at the highest level.”</p><p>Dr. Liepa explained that Wayne RESA is the largest county-wide school organization in Michigan, serving 33 school districts, over 100 public school systems, over 275,000 students, within a very diverse social and economic community. “Having such diverse communities in the county affords the opportunity to conti