January is School Board Recognition Month, and Northville Public Schools is joining 552 local school districts and 56 intermediate school districts across the state to thank these community volunteers for their untiring dedication to public education. The theme of this year’s statewide celebration, “School Boards Lead Strong,” reflects a combined commitment to leadership and accountability, assuring that all children succeed.

Michiganders benefit every day from the dedicated energies and countless hours devoted by more than 4,000 men and women across the state. These public servants are elected to serve by their communities and receive little recognition for the difficult job that they do. 

“In a climate of change and challenge, the members of the Northville Public Schools Board of Education work together to develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues that affect our entire community and impact individual students,” said Superintendent Mary Kay Gallagher. “They bear responsibility for a General Fund budget of $64 million, 7,321 students, 800 employees and 12 buildings. They carry out the truest form of representative government in our democracy — public education.” 

“Recognizing board members for this commitment and sacrifice takes a combined effort on the part of all they serve — administrators, teachers, staff, students and the community,” Gallagher added. “Although we encourage you to show appreciation throughout the year, taking advantage of School Board Recognition Month assures that these important people receive the thanks they deserve.”

There are many ways Northville school families and community members can recognize and celebrate the work of these dedicated public servants during School Board Recognition Month and throughout the year. Invite them out for coffee. Ask how you might help support your local neighborhood schools. Drop off cookies at one of the January Board meetings on January 15 and January 22. Write your school board members a thank you note. Let them know you appreciate what they do for the students and families in our community. 

For Northville Public Schools, this year’s School Board Recognition Month also offers the opportunity for the community to welcome several new faces to the Board. In the November 6, 2012 election, Cyndy Jankowski, Adam Phelps and Matthew Wilk were elected to the Northville Board of Education for four-year terms beginning in January 2013. Jankowski and Wilk are currently serving on the Board in appointed positions. New to the Board, Phelps will begin his service in January. The district, community and Board of Education will recognize current Board President Dottie Garrity — who is completing her four-year term of service — at the school board meeting on Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at Winchester Elementary School. 

“We extend our deep appreciation to all of our Board members — those who are new and those who have served for many years — for their willingness to serve the school district and the community to ensure the best possible educational experience for all Northville Public Schools’ students,” Gallagher said. “Most especially we express our heartfelt gratitude, on behalf of the entire Northville school community, to Dottie Garrity for her dedication over these past four years. Dottie has been a tireless and thoughtful advocate for Northville school children and families.”

The men and women serving on the Northville Public Schools Board of Education and their years of service are:

BOARD MEMBERS                          YEARS OF SERVICE

 Ms. Dottie Garrity, President             4 years             (Term ends 12/31/12)

Mr. Kenneth Roth, Vice President     10.5 years

Mr. Joseph Hige, Jr., Treasurer           3 years

Mr. James Mazurek, Secretary            2 years

Mr. Scott Craig, Trustee                    1 year

Ms. Cynthia Jankowski, Trustee        11 months

Mr. Matthew Wilk, Trustee                6 months

Mr. Adam Phelps                            Board Member Elect   (Effective January 2013)