Benton Harbor Area Schools Superintendent is considering leaving the school district less than a year into the job

BENTON HARBOR, Mich – Benton Harbor Area Schools CEO & Superintendent Dr. Robert Herrera is considering leaving the school district.

Dr. Herrera is less than a year into his multi-year contract.

Dr. Herrera confirmed through a statement to ABC57 that he is seeking other job opportunities.

Herrera’s statement read in part “Considering the dramatically changing landscape and lack of clear guidance I have recently chosen to pursue other career opportunities,” Herrera said.

The Benton Harbor Area Schools school board said they were not notified of Herrera’s possible departure through him but through an outside source.

“I think that it’s his right and his choice but I think right now it’s unfortunate because he’s been here less than a year in the district so the board so the board has not been here in control for the year he’s been in and now the board is about to regain control he wants to leave I don’t know where it’s coming from but he has the right to seek other opportunities,” Benton Harbor Area Schools school board Vice President Joseph Taylor said.

Dr. Herrera was hired under an agreement with the state to turn the academically and financially struggling school district around.

The agreement that shifted the day-to-day decision making to Dr. Herrera was repealed in December setting up the school board to regain control on July 1^st.

“It’s like he’s telling the kids it’s okay to run away from your problems it’s not like you’re really actually standing up for the kids like what did you sign up for four years should be four years regardless of if you’re happy or not it’s a lot of kids that’s not happy with their situation but they still come to school there’s a lot of parents that’s not happy but we’re still pushing our kids to continue their education,” Benton Harbor Area Schools parent Tamika Catchings said.