Brett Geier

Dr. Brett Geier is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology within the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University, where he specializes in Pre-K-12 leadership and educational administration. Dr. Geier earned his A.B. in history and political science with an emphasis on secondary education from Hope College in 1994. He continued his graduate studies at Grand Valley State University, receiving an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership in 1999, before completing his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Western Michigan University in 2007. With over 16 years of experience in public education, Dr. Geier has served in multiple leadership capacities including teacher, principal, and superintendent across Michigan school districts. Before joining the faculty at Western Michigan University, he served as an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of South Florida, bringing valuable practical and academic perspectives to his current role. In recognition of his contributions to the field, Dr. Geier was named a 2016 National Education Finance Association Distinguished Fellow in Research and Practice. His research is regularly featured at local, state, and national conferences, contributing to ongoing policy discussions and educational reform efforts.

Research Focus

Dr. Geier's scholarship centers on the critical intersection of public school law and finance, examining both the pragmatic and theoretical implications for educational administration. His research encompasses several key areas:

• Constitutional Law and Education: Dr. Geier investigates the implications of First Amendment jurisprudence—specifically Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause decisions—on public school operations and policies.
• School Finance and Equity: His work addresses systemic inequities and inadequacies in state finance systems, with particular attention to disparities affecting students based on race and socioeconomic status.
• He also examines public educator retirement systems, facility maintenance and construction funding, and efficient budgeting models for school districts.

Recent Grants

Geier, B. A. (2024). Michigan Restorative Justice Practices in Four High Schools: How Schools Comply with the Law and Determine Its Overall Effectiveness. College of Education and Human Development Award. $2,000.

Courses Taught:

ES 2000 – Introduction to American Education

ED 2900 – Teaching as a Profession

EDLD 6300 – Data Informed Decision Making, Research, and Education

EDLD 6610 – School Law and Ethics

EDLD 6620 – School Business Management

EDLD 6720 – District Finance and Operations

EDLD 6740 – School Community Relations and Cultural Competence

EDLD 6793 – Principal Internship I

EDLD 6794 – Principal Internship II

EDLD 7120 – Professional Field Experience

EDLD 6730 – Instructional Leadership and Supervision

EDLD 6670 – Principalship

Recent Publications:

Articles

Geier, B. A. (2025, Spring). The legal intersectionality of English language learners and special education students: Ensuring students receive mandated services. Seattle Journal for Social Justice, 23(3), 545-594.

Geier, B. A. (2022, Winter). State of the states: Michigan. Journal of Education Finance, 47(5). https://www.nationaledfinance.com/docs/20_Jef_47.5_Michigan.pdf

Geier, B. A. (2021, Winter). State of the states: Michigan. Journal of Education Finance, 46(3), 299-301.

Geier, B. A. (2020, Summer). Funding God's schools - A legal analysis of appropriating public dollars to parochial schools: Does Michigan's latest legislation violate the separation of church and state? Journal of Law and Education, 49(3), 285-337.

Geier, B. A. (2020, Winter). State of the states: Michigan. Journal of Education Finance, 45(3), 318-320.

Geier B. A & Blankenship – Knox, A. (2020). When speech is your stock in trade: What Kennedy v. Bremerton School District reveals about the future of employee speech and religion jurisprudence. Campbell Law Review, 42(1), 31-80.

Geier, B. A. (2019, Winter). State of the states: Michigan. Journal of Education Finance. 44(3), 287-289.

Blankenship, A. & Geier, B. A. (2018, Fall). Closing schools for prayer: Recommendations for increasingly diverse districts. Education Law Into Practice, 32 -38.

Blankenship, A. & Geier, B. A. (2018, Fall). Taking a day off to pray: Closing schools for religious observance in increasingly diverse schools. Brigham Young University Journal of Law and Education, 2018(2), 1-51.

Geier, B. A. (2018, Winter). State of the states: Michigan. Journal of Education Finance. 43(3), 266-268.

Geier, B. A. (2017, June). Fundraising activities in schools: The legal parameters guiding compliance. NASSP Bulletin, 101(2), 142-161. doi: 10.1177/0192636517711248

Duslak, M. A., & Geier, B. A. (2017, July). Communication quality, quantity, consistency: Determinants of school counselors’ perceptions of relationship quality with their building principals. Professional School Counseling Journal, 20(1), 115-126. doi: 10.5330/1096-2409-20.1.115

Geier, B. A., & Blankenship, A. (2017, Spring). Praying for touchdowns: Contemporary law and legislation for prayer in public school athletics. First Amendment Law Review, 15, 381-436.

Geier, B. A., & McCrumb D. (2017, Winter). Making sense of fiscal uncertainty: An overview of the 2016 state of the states. Journal of Education Finance, 42(3), 284-286.

Geier, B. A. (2016, Spring). The federal government’s usurpation of local control from public schools: A historical analysis of politics, law, and reaction. Barry Law Review. 21(1), 53-88.

Geier, B. A. (2016, Spring). Michigan’s public educator retirement system – on the road to bankruptcy: A legal analysis of Michigan. Journal of Education Finance. 41(4), 451-472.

Geier, B. A., & McCrumb, D. (2015, Fall). State of the states: Michigan. Journal of Education Finance. 41(2), 238-240.

Geier, B. A. (2014). Texas cheerleaders and the first amendment: Can you cheer for God at a football game? Mississippi College of Law Review. 33(1), 65 – 88.

Geier, B. A. (2014, Winter). State of the states: Michigan. Journal of
Education Finance, 39(3), 260-262.

Geier, B. A. (2014, March). The wall between church and state begins to crumble: One small community’s struggle with sectarian influence in public school. Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership, 17(1), 70-83. doi:10.1177/1555458913518541.

Books

Geier, B. A. (2025). The changing landscape of religious expression in US public schools. Palgrave MacMillan Publishing Co.

Geier, B. A. (2023). The Roberts court and public schools. Palgrave Macmillan Publishing Co.

Geier, B. A., Osanloo, A., Garza Mitchell, R. Blanenship-Knox, A. (Eds.). (In Online Publication – Hard Copy 2024). Palgrave’s handbook of educational thinkers. Palgrave Macmillan Publishing Co.

Geier, B. A. (2013). Quality facilities for enhanced student achievement. Saarbrücken, Germany: Scholars’ Press, ISBN 36-395-12650.

Geier, B. A., Mills, J. & Newcombe, D. (2006). School Finance Reference Manual. Lansing, MI: Michigan School Business Officials.