Board Unswayed; New Man Named Principal At Mack

supporters of interim Principal Harold Fillyaw were unable Wednesday to sway the Board of Education decisión to appoint Dr. Jerome Tillman as new principal of Mack Elementary School. Despite a vote to table the decision last week and another meeting discussing the validity of the selection process, Tillman was unanimously approved for the $22,105 position. Both Trustee Henry Johnson and Paul Carrington said the board had not found anything underhanded about the selection process and the seleetion committee had sent the superintendent two names they found equally qualified - Tillman and Fillyaw. Coütroversy had developed earlier withjn the Mack School community when it was learned that Fillyaw was not recon,mended by the superintendent for the principalship. There also was concern over the selection process allegedly not reflecting Mack community petitions and statements requesting that Fillyaw remain as Mack principal. "The principalship is still an administrativo office and must be responsible to the superintendent," said Carrington, "and he has the right to make his recommendation." Carrington said he would withhold his approval only if the person recommended was found unsuitable since the board had determined that criticism of the selection process was invalid. Although Trustee Robert Conn voted in favor of the appointment, he said, "I'm sad that the recommendation did not produce someone from the Ann Arbor s y f t e ra . Another problem has been brought to light with this incident . . hovv can we better insure those in the syslerr. being considered first to advance?" According to School Supt. R. Bruce McPherson, the current interim principal will be offered several alternative assignments within the school district for the 1972-73 school year. Tiliman, 29, is presently an assistant professor at Wayne State University. Previously, he served as consultant to the Michigan Education Association and was a teaching assistant at Michigan State University. From 1965-1969, Tiliman taught in the Saginaw public schools. The new Mack principal was a 1965 gradúate of Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, and he received his MA and PhD degrees from Michigan State in 1971. Prior to the board vote, several I ents and staff members spoke to the board in support of Fillyaw. The board and administration also were charged with dividing the Mack community over the appointment.