GVSU names new charter schools director

Grand Valley State University has named Edward D. Richardson special assistant for charter schools.

Richardson is currently Chelsea Public Schools superintendent, a position he has held since 1994. While at the helm of the Chelsea schools, Richardson restructured personnel practices, assisted the board of education in a successful $45 million bond proposal, and oversaw $50 million in construction spending.

Richardson replaces J. Patrick Sandro, GVSU's charter schools director since 1995, who is retiring.

'I'm very excited about being a part of Grand Valley state and looking forward to working on each of the individual missions of the chartered schools,' said Richardson. 'I've been impressed with the mission as described to me by President Mark Murray and with the work of Pat Sandro.'

Richardson has 25 years of experience in education throughout Michigan, serving as a teacher in Adrian, Reading and Onsted and as an administrator in Mendon, and Olivet.

Richardson holds a bachelor's degree in English from Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill. He earned master's degrees in American literature and secondary administration from Eastern Michigan University.

GVSU has licensed 30 charter schools in west and central lower Michigan and metropolitan Detroit.