The infighting eventually led to Green and Johnson resigning. I have the utmost respect for Dr. Herrera.. Email: Through tears, Green, a former elementary teacher, said Herrera's dedication to educationinspired her to want to return to the classroom. Herrera had recently filed a complaint against board secretary Angie Smith for harassment, district officials said in a statement. Board president, vice president also resign. 61 South Main Street Farmington, Utah 84025 Phone Directory Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Email: $('span#sw-emailmask-156').replaceWith(''); Board members should have had a longer community conversation around the sale, she said, adding, "People are afraid now, and they are angry. $('span#sw-emailmask-4631').replaceWith(''); Olson: Some of the attributes that make me qualified to be a school board member include being a parent of 4 kids in the district, a taxpayer in the district, and my strong business acumen. I would work with the districts financial advisers and work out a five year plan, and discuss with labor relations what their input would be, and to make sure that funds would be allocated in technology to keep us current. Weems: There are researched backed reasons to support diversity and, practicing equity in education is a requirement. Describing his reasoning to the board, Johnson said the group "has just completely changed. Green said the common thread was one of her elected colleagues, current trustee Angie Smith. We have completed our strategic planning, identified the profile of a lifelong learner and negotiated long term contracts with our staff. Claudia has lived in Farmington Hills with her husband, Dave Heinrich, since 1975. It never stops. Smith denied posting commentsabout the board or Herreraon social media. The board is expected to decide in coming weeks on the next steps to fill the vacancies and select the next superintendent. "LosingDr. Herrera will be a great loss for our students," Zach Rich, a board trustee, said during the meeting. Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. 2. I am happy with our direction, but this is not a time to rest because there is still plenty to do. The Board of Education is aware that at times members of the community and District employees would like to . The board called Smiths claims unfounded, but accepted Herreras resignation to avoid being sued by him. Heis slated to act as a consultant before receiving a severance payment of $105,000 onJune 30, 2021. Zach is actively involved with the Northern Guard Supporters and is a co-owner of Detroit City Football Club. Having achieved that, today, I am interested in being re-elected because I want to continue the progress the district has made recently in efforts to engage every student in a quality learning experience so that they can achieve their full potential. and holds the Superintendent and staff accountable for policy implementation. ", 2023 The Detroit News, a Digital First Media Newspaper, 'Dysfunction' blamed for loss of Farmington's top three school officials. "So this is painful. Our priority should be delivering excellence in education. Its not currently being taught in K-12 schools anywhere in Michigan or the country.. The agenda can be found here at least 18 hours before the meeting. OCHN Releases RFQ for Irrigation Services, Part Of I-696 In Oakland County Closing Down This Weekend, 1 Dead In Fiery Crash On I-696 In Oakland County: Police. Angie Smith (Farmington Public School District, Michigan) - Google News. "It didnt have to lead to him resigning," she said. Board Meeting Details. Those struggles, they said, happen because elected school boards aren't in agreement on all issues. Join Facebook to connect with Angie Smith and others you may know. FPS has what is needed to provide a wonderful experience for a student. I would place myself in the position of the bargaining unit to understand their needs, but it must be extremely important that it is explained that the districts needs have to be met to clarify the board's decision-making. I felt like I was back in high school," former trustee Richard Mukamal said of the school board. The closure of four elementary schools also has Smith concerned, both with the crowding of students into the remaining buildings and what happens as the district's population starts moving back up. Blackboard Web Community Manager Privacy Policy (Updated). Teachers need resources to help students overcome deficiencies due to long term effects of the COVID-19 shut down. Effective November 2016, all terms will be for six years. It is exhausting and its hurtful.. Olson: Parents will send their students to the school that best meets the learning needs of their children. Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. } 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. background-color: #003388; We need some real change in this district and we need to hold people accountable.". The motion was requested by board vice president Terry Johnson. I support in-house relations opposed to resourcing out, revisiting this would be major for me, so I would have a meeting of the minds of all stake holders, to keep from this happening again. Board members told Local 4 the issue is ugly. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a BA in Education and Eastern Michigan University with a Masters Degree in Mathematics. It is creating an unsafe working environment for employees, creating a divide in the community and likely fueling recall efforts.. Weems said she and Smith are on good footing nowbut acknowledged the twohave faced issues in the past. The meeting location is Maxfield Education Center, 32789 W. Ten Mile Rd., Farmington, MI 48336. AP source: Rams parting ways with LB Bobby Wagner Feb. 23, 2023 06:10 PM EST. | Apply today! The fact that Farmington Public Schools was not able to retain him is a big black mark on our district, Mukamal said. FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. (WXYZ) Farmington Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Robert Herrera has resigned from his position, allegedly following allegations of racism toward Black students. Farmington Public Schools shall not discriminate against an person based on race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, age, disability, height, weight, or marital status in any of its programs, services, activities or employment. "You cant tell a board member to keep quiet, but that is what they like to do.. Masks had been required when the district's residential population was classified as high risk for covid-19. } Appointees Terri Weems and James Stark won six-year seats Tuesday on the Farmington Public Schools Board of Education, as did long-time district volunteer Angie Smith. } legislators. Walker: The best action begins with an equity audit to determine how your district is addressing these issues. Carr: I have a Ph.D. in Public Administration and my academic career has been in public education. I have lived in this community. Smith: Yes, because we have hired a new superintendent who shares the same values and understands our mission and vision for the district. } It has been shown that strong student relationships can reduce the gaps that can sometimes occur, particularly in the area of racial inequalities as it relates to school discipline. Conflicts in school board elections, 2021-2022; Partisanship in 2022 United States local elections; Trends in 2022 ballot measures; The Biden administration. Weems: These one-time dollars present a huge opportunity to foster real change and innovation. In a July 8 Mlive story titled Critical Race Theory isnt taught in Michigan schools, so why is it such a hot topic?, the writer, without citing evidence, claims that Critical race theory is most often taught in colleges and universities. } An emphasis on excellence across the curriculum will attract students to the school system. Dr. Herrera was appointed as superintendent in 2019. .widget-img { Federal courts | Two of her daughters live in Farmington Hills and their children attend Farmington Public Schools. You want to teach less reading, writing, and arithmetic so you can teach Critical Race Theory and DEI?. She has resided in Farmington Hills for over 20 years and was involved in her daughters' academics and extracurricular activities. If you look at our board meetings, all they say is Ms. Smith, you are out of line, and I am not out of line. Board president Pamela Green resigned following the meeting, as well as vice president Terry Johnson., citing frustrations with specifically two unnamed board members. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Information, Information for the 2021-2022 School Year, Social Emotional Support Tools for Families, School Closing and Repurposing Information, NWEA Student Progress Report - Parent Information, Farmington/Farmington Hills Education Foundation, 2018-2019 Farmington School Culture & Climate Survey - Staff, Absence Management / Attendance Reporting, Board of Education Committee and Representative/Liaison Appointments. .widget-row.Green { 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. Weems, Smith, and Stark won these seats. Candidate Donna Swoboda did not submit a response. On Nov. 8, voters in the Farmington Public Schools district will choose three people to serve on the school board for six years. Personal conflicts, they say, also drew attention away from the schools. Tweets by C & G Newspapers journalists Reporters' opinions are their own and retweets do not equal endorsements. 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." "I am embarrassed and I feel so bad because I feel like I let everyone down. float: right; } Terri Weems is running for a second six-year term on the board and was appointed in 2015. When it comes down to the diversity in this community and being a people person, that was why I could not vote to put him in, Smith said regarding her dissenting vote when Herrera was initially hired. . margin-bottom:0px; Drawing upon current neuroscience about how the brain learns best, Dr. Blau specializes in creating highly engaging, interactive, experiential lessons designed to bring the curricular content to life for students so that they will connect meaningfully and deeply with what they learn. 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,. Financial transparency is another issue that needs additional attention. Ballot measures, Who represents me? The percentage of people below poverty level was 10.0 percent for the county, while it was 16.2 percent statewide.[7]. }); Claudia Heinrich was elected in November 2020. The protesters lined the street in front of North Farmington High School, holding signs and waving at . Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, 32500 Shiawassee, Farmington, MI 48336. She's been involved with the PTA, Women of Tomorrow and her homeowners association. He and his family have been a part of the community for 20 years. U.S. President | Angie Smith has served on the school board since 2017. For subscribers: 'Dysfunction' blamed for loss of Farmington's top three school officials. Evidence seems to indicate that parents seek schools of choice or charter schools or home schooling when a district ceases to provide an excellent education to all students. var encodedEmail = swrot13('znoyr.sbk@scfx12.arg'); A statement read by board president Pam Green at Monday'smeeting, at which she,Trustee Terry Johnson and Superintendent Robert Herreraannounced their departures, cited Smith'spublic statements and social media posts that allegedHerrrera was against African American students and staff in submitting his resignation. $('span#sw-emailmask-157').replaceWith(''); Smith had dialed into the virtual meeting minutes after Green spoke about Herrerabut said she couldn'tparticipate due to a family emergency. Other important priorities should include safety in schools, attendance, meeting the needs of the marginalized as well as those that are advanced and gifted, investing in proven programs for special education, and ensuring the welfare and confidence of each learner (Example kids who are hungry cannot learn productively, kids who do not feel safe or confident also cannot learn productively, etc.). Angie Smith Vice President of the Farmington Public School Board angie.smith@fpsk12.net Brief Biography Yolanda Smith Oakland County Commissioner D17, and Realtor Brief Biography Nicole Wells Stallworth WONF Directory and Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan nicolewellsstallworth@gmail.com Brief Biography Shelley Taub 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. 2023 www.detroitnews.com. Weems: The last few years have been extremely challenging, especially in our district. Prior to the start of the pandemic, anxiety and depression among adolescents was growing, and now is at an all time high We also have a District Mental Health Program Coordinator who support staff in providing resources, programming, and learning opportunities for social, emotional, mental, and behavioral well-being. Michigan Republican lawmakers have aimed to ban Michigan schools from teaching CRT, sparking pushback from some educators and Democrats who accuse the GOP of trying to whitewash history. Spotlight Junior Players proudly presents Disney's "Aladdin Jr" for ONE weekend ONLY! The Board of Education is a governing body which is independent of other municipal, elected governing bodies. Guide. Afterwards, Herrera will act in a consulting role until June 30, 2021, when his employment with the district will end. Its really unfortunatethat weve actuallygotten to a positionwhere we cant even disagree without beingdisagreeable. Interns wanted: Get paid to help ensure that every voter has unbiased election information. }); Angie Smith was elected in 2016. Take a sneak peek inside. The Farmington Public Schools superintendent and the top two members of the board of education resigned Monday amid allegations of harassment and racism.During a special meeting Monday, the. Board meetings are cablecast LIVE on TV-10 and live . Ballotpedia features 395,577 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. These seats included three seats with six-year terms and two seats with two-year terms. Several board members said Hererra's not the first to administrative leader to leave the district because of strained relations, sayingformer Superintendent George Heitschs retirement was premature. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. Teachers and administrators, should place an emphasis on each student in the pursuit of excellence. I have worked in both postsecondary trade and K-12 education for the past 31 years. The board firstpassed a resolution accepting the resignation of Superintendent Robert Herrera, who hasled the district since 2019. Weems: Mental health is a huge issue facing not just our district, but the whole nation. She is the proud mother of two Farmington High graduates. .infobox p { She is the single mother of three daughters who all attended Farmington Public Schools - graduates of 2006, 2010 and 2016. The filing will be dropped, the district said, now that he is leaving. Don Wotruba,executive director of the Michigan Association of School Boards, said operating without a clear vision and culture can hold a board back. Board members are accountable to the parents and residents of the district and should be transparent in the decision-making process. Following the creation of the committee, candidates have an additional 10 days to register the committee with the school district filing official by filing a statement of organization. Elections are held bi-annually in November even years. They felt uneasy. Herrera said in his resignationSmith'sharassment against him created a hostile work environment. 100% remote. It's not just former board members alleging conflicts. Weems, who led all voting, has lived with her family in Farmington Hills since 2010. She worked for Detroit Public Schools for 8 years in the Special Education Department as a trainable aide grade 1. A graduate of Hillsdale College, his work has appeared on Forbes.com and FEE.org. I support schools of choice because it forces each school to consider how they must be constantly improving, to be a viable choice for those parents and caregivers. "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. Copyright © 2002 - var currentTime = new Date();var year = currentTime.getFullYear();document.write(year); Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. We were founded on the Declaration of Independence.. }); Dr. Cheryl Blau has taught all subjects in grades 1-8 for more than 30 years in public, private, parochial, and charter schools. 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). The Tuesday meeting displayed a deep divide of opinion among parents that immediately apparent upon entering the school's auditorium. Infighting wasfueled by big egos and big personalitiesandultimately pulled the board'sattention away from their primary focus: students, those critics say. Terri and her husband live in Farmington Hills and have three children who attend Farmington Public Schools. We are trying our best to develop partnerships with experts in the area. 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. Smith said she has talked to teachers at the high school level who want to move back to semesters from the current trimester scheduling, a move she would support. U.S. Congress | .widget-row.Independent, .widget-row.Nonpartisan, .widget-row.Constitution { Students need to understand the truth of history understand the history of this country, to better understand who they are and about the injustices that have occurred in this country, Vitti said, Chalkbeat reported. "I don't like anything sticking," she said. 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. Many held signs, with one reading: Let me get this straight. "You can't be a parent who just stops (at school), drops (the child off) and rolls," Smith said. 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. Im very vocal and Im very passionate about what I do and who I do it for, she said. There is an opportunity to enhance outcomes for these learners. Im not in trouble, Im in good trouble, Smith said Thursday. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Voters will also choose one candidate for a two-year term. Scott McClallen is a staff writer covering Michigan and Minnesota for The Center Square. Johnson, the board's vice president,told the panel he wasresigning 45 days before his term expiresbecause the group"has just completely changed.". margin: auto; So you get bogged down in all this minutia.. These results are automatically generated from Google. Carr currently chairs the Economic Development Corporation Board of Farmington Hills. Hometown Life obtained this complaint through a FOIA request. Herrera had filed a harassment claim against Smith,which she said citeda "hostile work environment." State legislature | But, longtime elected officials will also admit theyve said that before. Walker: IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) funding. According to Weems, the board did not look at "meaningful" student achievement data for almost two years. We have a new superintendent who is committed to long term leadership in FPS. It is certainly not representative of those in the program, however. In addition to white privilege checklists, the challenge asked participants to join a BLM or affiliated protest to bail out arrested protesters and rioters, and included a list of microaggressions to avoid, such as calling America the land of opportunity.. }. Mable is a lifelong community advocate, co-founding the Littlefield Block Club at the age of 16. He was an announcer for Mix 92.3 and Oldies 104.3 WOMC, Director of Education and Instructor at Specs Howard School of Media Arts, Production Director at WRCJ, videographer and editor for the Communications Department at Detroit Public Schools Community District. Schools of choice options provide a great opportunity for students outside of our district to join us, however . there are a huge number of students who live in our district who do not attend our schools. Schools Details: Top candidates who won a seat on the Farmington 192 Independent School Board are: Melissa Gorman with 6,219 votes, Becky DeWilde with 5,693 votes, and Jessica farmington public schools board election Verified Just Now Cities | I want to hold the position because I love our district and know that we have a very strong program already, but passionately want to be a part of improving it even more The Board is responsible for achieving aggressive education outcomes in Math, Reading, Writing, Science, and other areas that are required so that each student has a chance to become a productive member of our society as we know it and can reasonably expect it to be. State and local courts | Angie Smith, Farmington Public School Board of Education Vice President. 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.

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