Nikolai Vitti is a finalist to become Detroit’s school superintendent

Could Duval County’s loss be Motown’s gain?

In what U2 might call “a sort of homecoming,” The Detroit Free Press reported Friday that Duval County School Superintendent Nikolai Vitti is a finalist to become the next the Detroit Public Schools Community District Superintendent

Vitti, a Detroit native, was selected as one of three finalists during a Thursday meeting of the Board of Education.

The rollout of the names was delayed to give candidates time to notify current employers..

“What happens next is unclear. A first round of interviews originally was scheduled for Monday, and a second round on March 29, if needed. But those dates are up in the air now,” the Detroit report states.

There may be interviews with board members, and public forums … all of which would take Vitti’s time away from his current position, which has its own myriad challenges.

Vitti’s job security was an issue in Jacksonville last year, with a public dust-up between the then-current school board chair and the superintendent.

The business community rallied behind Vitti, and the points of conflict then mysteriously abated.

At least one of Vitti’s allies on the board supports the potential move.

Scott Shine noted that “Dr. Vitti is from Detroit and still has family and many friends in that community. We talked at length about his decision and I know the idea of returning to his home city is a significant factor in his interest in Detroit Schools.”

“I will support him and recommend him in seeking the Superintendent position in Detroit, if that is the direction he wants to take,” Shine added.