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Schools

In Northville, A Heartfelt Send-Off For 20-Year Superintendent

Leonard Rezmierski is retiring from Northville Public Schools this week, and the community showed up in droves to say goodbye

has helmed the for more than 20 years and on Friday the district's administration, board, faculty and staff along with parents, students and others celebrated his leadership.

Held in the auditorium, Rezmierski's retirement party was full of performances, speeches and praise for Rezmierski, who is one of the longest-serving and most respected school officials in Wayne County.

"Tonight is all about Len," said Chris Wigent, the Superintendent of the Wayne County Regional Education Service Agency (RESA). "But when it comes to the schools, when it's all about Len, it's all about the kids."

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Rezmierski collected many accolades Friday evening, including plaques and proclamations from Northville Mayor Chris Johnson, Wayne RESA and others.

For the superintendent, the program served as the capstone of a career that began in earnest 35 years ago, after he earned a bachelor's degree in education from Western Michigan University and a master's degree at the University of Michigan. 

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Rezmierski was hired as a special education teacher in Lawrence, Mich. After a stint at the in-patient school at the Children's Psychiatric Hospital, Rezmierski was hired as the director of special education at Northville Schools in 1976. In 1991, he was named superintendent.

Northville Mayor Christopher Johnson said Rezmeirski re-envisoned special education at the district.

"Under Leonard, [special education] students were not only able to get an education, they were able to get an appropriate education," he said.

But special education is not the only area that has thrived under Rezmierski's stewardship.

"It's important to say that the arts have continued to flourish under Leonard's leadership," said Mike Rumbell, the director of the Northville High Jazz band, which has recieved many accolades.

To further mark Rezmierski's impact on Northville Schools, it was announced that a new fund named after the superintendent would be used for educational innovation within the schools, and that so far, the fund has collected $21,000 from community members, according to Martha Nield, a former school board trustee.

For his part, Rezmierski accepted praise with characteristic composure.

"I'm honored to be here and to have led the schools for this long," he said. "And I have absolute faith the progress we've made will continue under the leadership of Mary Kay Gallagher."

The superintendent did say that many factors influenced him throughout his career, including an engaged board and a skilled teaching staff. But Rezmierski said support from him family was a big plus.

"My wife, Ginny – a professor at the University of Michigan in her own right – watched everything I did," Rezmierski said, laughing. "Family was my foundation."

Ginny Rezmierski attended the event with the couple's children, in-laws and grandchildren.

Also in attendence were many local officials, including Johnson, Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo, State Rep. Kurt Heise, former State Rep. Marc Corriveau and former board members.

Gallagher, who will lead the district as superintendent going forward, said Rezmierski has been a force for stability within the schools during challenging times.

"In all of the years that I've worked with Len," she said, "I never once saw Leonard get angry or upset with anyone."

But Gallagher also said she hopes Rezmierski will not be a stranger in retirement.

"There is always a place for you here," she said.

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