Wayne, Mich. – March 5, 2021 – Wayne RESA, the regional educational service agency that serves Wayne County’s 33 school districts, has announced the retirement of Dr. Randy Liepa, Superintendent. Dr. Liepa has served as Superintendent of Wayne RESA for six years and has spent more than 30 years serving schools in Wayne County in various roles. Dr. Liepa will continue in his role until June 2021.

“A tireless and resolute advocate for public education and school funding, Dr. Liepa has been a key and invaluable resource for school leaders throughout Wayne County,” said Wayne RESA Board President Mary Blackmon. “Whether through the initial passage and renewal of an enhancement millage bringing an additional $70 million to our schools annually, contributing to the effort to reinvent reform Michigan’s school finance model, or, most recently, through his unwavering support and guidance amid the pandemic, we are deeply indebted for his contributions to our schools and our children.”

Dr. Liepa was the National Association of State Boards of Education Policy Maker of the Year in 2019. As Superintendent of Wayne RESA, Dr. Liepa has been actively involved in the study of a new school funding system through the School Finance Research Collaborative. He oversaw the passage and renewal of a regional enhancement millage in 2016 and 2020, bringing in $360 per student (over $70 million annually) to local districts. In the years following the creation of the Michigan Department of Education’s Partnership schools in Michigan, Dr. Liepa has supported the development of the first Partnership agreements for low performing schools. He also supported the creation of a county-wide Literacy Initiative and Theory of Action that served as a tangible step toward improving reading instruction, and began one of the first ISD programs for diversity training—Seeking Educational Equity in Diversity.

Prior to joining Wayne RESA, Dr. Liepa served as Superintendent of Livonia Public Schools for 12 years. He has been president of the Michigan Association of Intermediate School Districts, a member of the School Finance Research Collaborative and Launch Michigan Steering Committees, president of the Wayne County Superintendents Organization, and vice-chair of the Tri-County Alliance for Public Schools. Dr. Liepa holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State University in educational leadership, a master’s degree in education and educational specialist degree from Wayne State University, and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Hillsdale College.

Wayne RESA has engaged the Michigan Association of School Boards to support the search for Dr. Liepa’s replacement and will announce more details as they become available.

About Wayne RESA
Wayne RESA is a regional educational service agency that provides a broad range of services and support to Wayne County's 33 school districts aimed at improving student achievement and maximizing economies of scale in staff development, purchasing, and administrative services.