I have lived in this community. "So this is painful. Please, 100 largest cities in America by population, Farmington Public School District elections (2016), List of school board campaign finance deadlines in 2016, Farmington Public School District, Michigan, 2016 Farmington Public School District Elections, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Angie_Smith_(Farmington_Public_School_District,_Michigan)&oldid=8513620, Pages using DynamicPageList dplreplace parser function, 2016 United States school district candidates, Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022, Special Congressional elections (2023-2024), 2022 Congressional Competitiveness Report, State Executive Competitiveness Report, 2022, State Legislative Competitiveness Report, 2022, Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. More:Livonia Chamber stickers program helps businesses highlight inclusive values, More:Comerica bank to sell Livonia office building, move to neighboring Farmington Hills, More:Henry Ford Health brings new emergency room, specialty services to western Wayne County. "It's really unfortunate that we've actually gotten to a position where we can't even disagree without being disagreeable We need some real change in this district and we need to hold people accountable," he said. I feel the role of a school board member is to be an advocate and voice for the community and to make sure we are serving our residents, staff, students, and stakeholders. As Director of Multimedia at Detroit School of Arts, he provides administrative support to the digital media programs and teachers. This was like Mean Girls.. background-color: green; FARMINGTON -- Farmington School Board voted Feb. 8 to amend the district's mask advisory policy so that masks are "highly recommended" instead of mandated. He'll stay on as the superintendent through the end of the. We need some real change in this district and we need to hold people accountable.". "You've got to be involved and see what's going on in the classroom. This vote followed the Board of Education's decision in August to. One individual sported a shirt that read: We do NOT CO-PARENT with the Government., Parents were protesting a 21-Day Equity Challenge held by the Farmington Public School District last fall. .infobox p { When the district establishes Excellence For All as its standard, then gaps in achievement can be eliminated. The board firstpassed a resolution accepting the resignation of Superintendent Robert Herrera, who hasled the district since 2019. I'm not going to treat anyone different from how I would treat a family member. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, 32500 Shiawassee, Farmington, MI 48336. }); Angie Smith was elected in 2016. U.S. Congress | FPS has what is needed to provide a wonderful experience for a student. All rights reserved. This creates an environment for FPS to be competitive for parents decisions. .top_disclaimer { Cities | It would require masks indoors and when social distancing is not possible "for all persons who are present on . Claudia retired in 2015 after a 40 year career in education, teaching high school mathematics at Riverside High School in North Dearborn Heights, Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, and Stevenson High School in Livonia. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles. There are no incumbents among eight candidates for three Farmington school board seats: David Barr, Becky DeWilde, Joe Fritz, Melissa Gorman, Kelsey Jezierski, Maggie Storlie, Steven. The Board is responsible for curricular and financial decision made by the District. I think it is a loss for the district, Green said. Zach is actively involved with the Northern Guard Supporters and is a co-owner of Detroit City Football Club. She is a champion for children. Board members told Local 4 the issue is ugly. Terri is an active member of her community. The district paid Herrera a $105,000 buyout,and the district continues to pay his six-figure salary through June as his replacement is hired. display: inline-block; All Dr. Herrera had to do was come to me and say, Angie I dont like how this is going. Many held signs, with one reading: Let me get this straight. The resignation means the harassment complaint will no longer be pursued, according to the release. Resumes should include past board experience, past managerial experience, and other related experience. and holds the Superintendent and staff accountable for policy implementation. font-weight: bold; There was a problem saving your notification. Smith won the seat in the at-large general election on November 8, 2016. I think we need to do some cutting at the top. Two other board members also resigned. Green added that she had not seen or heard any of harsh comments posted on social media by Smith about the board or superintendent. Take a sneak peek inside. Personal conflicts, they say, also drew attention away from the schools. To learn more about county-wide races and ballot issues, visit For subscribers: 'Dysfunction' blamed for loss of Farmington's top three school officials. EDUCATION COMMUNITY. The next Regular Meeting of the Board of Education will take place on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 6:00 pm. Olson: One tangible action would be to explore proven programs that improve student-teacher relationships. Bjorn Olson is looking to hold office for the first time. Sure," Macfarland said. George Heitschs retirement was premature. Two of her daughters live in Farmington Hills and their children attend Farmington Public Schools. Farmington Hills resident Angie Smith says she worked hard to help pass a 2004 Farmington Public Schools bond referendum. Chiefs promote Nagy to old job as offensive coordinator Feb. 24, 2023 07:33 PM EST. The motion was requested by board vice president Terry Johnson. width: 100%; Those completed goals come at the expense of Academic Excellence. FPS Board Secretary Angie Smith said DEI includes hard topics that have to be brought up., During the protest, Debbie Kraulidis, a Moms for America vice president, said the 21-day challenge and teaching CRT are racially dividing and anti-American., Our schools have drastically lost their way, and they must get back to the mission of education, Kraulidis said. ", The larger problem she sees is a disconnect between the school board and the community. In public comments, some people called for the 21-day challenge to return, while others called to abolish it. color: white; We have completed our strategic planning, identified the profile of a lifelong learner and negotiated long term contracts with our staff. FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (FOX 2) - A lengthy school board meeting heard more than 80 people speak during public comment with a clear divide when it comes to the district's approach to teaching. She also would like to see Superintendent Susan Zurvalec take "more of a cut" in salary and eliminate more staff from the central office to get more money into the classrooms. I think it could have been done in a better way. The district declined to elaborate on Herrera's claim. My children went to Farmington Public Schools. Curricular transparency and accountability to parents remains on the public radar but has not received adequate support from the Board. Weems pointed to the boards decisions regarding in-person learning as evidence of that. Pam Green, a former board president who resigned last November, said she never knew the board without problems amongst itself. Guide. Infighting wasfueled by big egos and big personalitiesandultimately pulled the board'sattention away from their primary focus: students, those critics say. Mable has over 30 years of experience in educational consulting throughout the state. Angie Smith has served on the school board since 2017. [7] The district was the 17th-largest school district in the state in the 20132014 school year and served 10,719 students.

} Censure rescinded for Farmington school board member Angie Smith Over the past few months, the board has been garnering a lot of negative attention with the resignation of several. Email: Weems: We need to do a better job of marketing the great things that are happening in our district. Walker: I was appointed to the Farmington Public School Board in 2021, so I have the confidence of the current board. For her part, Smith said this could have all been solved with a simple conversation.". Weems: Mental health is a huge issue facing not just our district, but the whole nation. He'll receive a $105,000 severance. Later, when the censure resolution involving her was read, she returned and indicated having heard it, but did not comment. [4], Candidates received a total of $6,710.00 and spent a total of $12,632.11 as of October 30, 2016, according to the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds.[5]. Post-election reports were due by December 8, 2016. Beathard signs 2-year extension with Jaguars Feb. 24, 2023 04:17 PM EST. You can watch Shawn Leys full story in the video posted above. Also, we should focus on ways to encourage individuals to apply for open positions within our district (substitutes, bus drivers, and para pros for example). Angie has also served the District as a Building PTA President, PTA Council president, PTA State Region D Representative, and Co-Chair of the Farmington/Farmington Hills MCMR MLK Walk. Johnson, Green and Mukamal contend Weems and Smith allow their personal friendships to dictate their school agendas and frequently get involved in issues that should be handled by administration. FEBRUARY 25, 2019, REGULAR MTG. At the end of the meeting, Green then announced she also was resigning as ofFriday, saying "the dysfunctional behavior of two unnamed board members had interfered with further progress of district initiatives,as well as contributing to her health issues, ultimately requiring that she remove herself" from the board, district representatives said. According to Weems, the board did not look at "meaningful" student achievement data for almost two years. Fixing the boards culture is important to its effectiveness moving forward. However, Macfarland says there is a middle line between teaching historical mistakes and teaching CRT. Carr: The district faces a number of significant challenges: decline in test scores in math, reading and other subjects, the loss of students to surrounding districts, loss of teachers and support staff (bus drivers among others). I can speak," she said. ", Smith is a self-admitted pot stirrer. Under this boards leadership we have completed our audit and are now using it as one of our guides to create a safe and culturally respectful district. background-color: white; Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. It's like saying, 'Honey the house is in foreclosure, but there's a Bentley in the driveway.' . I understand the complex issues and pressures facing public schools and have extensive experience in effectively solving public problems at the local level. Candidate Donna Swoboda did not submit a response. Follow her on Twitter@shelby_tankk. The filing will be dropped, the district said, now that he is leaving. We need to start getting rid of stuff we don't need.". Farmington Public School District At-large, Angie Smith (Farmington Public School District, Michigan), Ballotpedia does not currently cover this office or maintain this page. Social issues, and not a Board Commitment to Academic Excellence & Improvement make up the stated goals of the current Board (Read Board Goals 2021-2022). She has resided in Farmington Hills for over 20 years and was involved in her daughters academics and extracurricular activities. Farmington Public Schools will continue to serve the students and families well in our community; the District has a strong leadership team that will continue to move the District forward, Herrera said. I love these kids, and Farmington just lost an amazing superintendent.. Very painful.". Board members should have had a longer community conversation around the sale, she said, adding, "People are afraid now, and they are angry. width: 43%; Pastor Doug Jones, Welcome Missionary Baptist Church Pastor and Chair of the Oakland County Ministerial Alliance. Tolonen Family Pet Shop one of downtown Farmington's newest businesses, Farmington school board offers superintendent job to Walled Lake administrator, The Hawk in Farmington Hills prepares for June opening. The Board establishes policy matters (curriculum, budget, personnel, etc.) Angie Smith has served on the school board since 2017. Weems: There are researched backed reasons to support diversity and, practicing equity in education is a requirement. Voters will also choose one candidate for a two-year term. Tuesday night's protest was followed by a school board meeting where concerned residents spoke out about curriculum that includes Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). State executives | The percentage of people below poverty level was 10.0 percent for the county, while it was 16.2 percent statewide.[7]. Angie Smith, Farmington School District Vice President Melanie Piana, Ferndale Mayor Brian Turnbull, Northville Mayor Barbara Morowski-Browne, Northville Pro Tem Brian Smith, Novi City Council Person Ericka Thomas, Novi City Council Person Tim Greimel, Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness, Pontiac City Council President Angie Smith has had problems with every single person on that board, Terry Johnson, a former board vice president who alsoresignedin November, said. Donald sits on the TV-10 and IT advisory boards for North Farmington, and is a member of FAAPN, The Beloved Community Initiative and Community Equity Organization. color: white; "I would never discredit any of my board members, past or present let alone the superintendent," she said. Critics said Smiths behavior created an environment Herrera couldnt work in, prompting the complaint. Internal documents obtained by the Local 4 Defenders show that board member Angie Smith allegedly worked to create an intimidating and offensive work environment for the superintendent, making comments and social media posts accusing Herrera of trying to rid the district of any African American staff members. Walker: IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) funding. There's some evidence, however, Smithwas resistant to soothing school board tensions, declining requests the board undergo restorative practice training in 2019. "His skill set was like nothing we have ever seen in this district," she said. We have hired a new superintendent who is dedicated to our school district, onboarded 4 new board members, and become a highly functioning certified board. Student enrollment has had a nearly 25% reduction in less than a decade. Facebook gives people the power to share and makes the world more open and connected. They need to have a conversation about who they want to be as a board, who they want to be to the public, how they want to be toward each other and how they are going to conduct themselves, Wotruba said. Angie Smith, the Farmington Public Schools board secretary, was censured for "conduct unbecoming a board member" after the panel said she made public comments and social media posts. Smith: I have been a dedicated resident and member of the Farmington Hills community for the past 26 years, and have served on the school board for 6 years. ", On the flip side, parents have to be connected with their children's schools and teachers. He is the right man for the job.. The reasoning was cited as "conduct unbecoming of a board member," and was based on Smith's social media posts, which members agreed interfered with the superintendent's ability to perform his duties, among other things, a release states. Email: . Previously, he worked as a financial analyst at Pepsi. Olson: The schools priorities need to be returning to the basics of good curriculum, without the distractions of other important, but secondary issues especially social and political concerns. Weems, Smith and Zach Rich, another veteran trustee, have said theyre optimistic about a new board being able to turn things around. Angie Smith, Farmington School Board Vice President, Endorses Levin. Hometown Life sent each candidate a questionnaire on their ideas and the state of the district today. School board chaos at Farmington Public Schools leads to superintendent's resignation.