Recently, elections took place in which a variety of different positions were voted upon and filled, including governor, secretary of state, senator and school board members. At Henry Ford College, the latter has a particular impact, as the school board members are also the Board of Trustees at the college.

Three new members were voted in, and they are Mariam Bazzi, Michael Meade and Mary Petlichkoff. Bazzi is a Wayne County assistant prosecuting attorney, Meade is a retired vice president of student services at HFC and Petlichkoff is a community-based activist and former school board member (pressandguide.com).

According to the League of Women Voters’ website vote411.org, Mariam Bazzi decided to run because she saw an opportunity to become involved in her own children’s schooling. She said, “As an assistant prosecuting attorney, I understand the trouble that children can get into when their needs are not correctly addressed.” As such, she wants to apply policies that help to have those needs met.

Michael Meade, who has been at HFC for 32 years, said, “I want to improve strategic plans and budgets and the policies which support them, and to approve reasonable and affordable contracts” (vote411.org). In such, students can reach greater potential through educational opportunities.

Mary Petlichkoff, who was Dearborn Charter Commissioner, City Beautiful Commissioner and chair of Dearborn Federation of Neighborhood Associations said, “I remain committed to preparing our students to be college or career ready and ensure they can become productive citizens.” She elaborated that her experience is an important asset for future interests (vote411.org).

All three new members had a shared focus on funding as one of their priority issues when considering the Dearborn Public Schools (vote411.org).

None of the three board incumbents, trustees Pam Adams, who has served on the board since 1996, James Schoolmaster, who has served four terms, and Board President Hussein Berry, who is completing his first term, ran for reelection (pressandguide.com).