Northville Schools' Focus is Education in 21st Century, School Board President Says

Jim Mazurek — President, Northville School Board

How long have you been on the school board?
This is my fourth year. I have served one year as a Trustee, one year as Secretary, was Vice President last year, and just recently was nominated by other Board members to the role of President for 2014.

What is your role? 
President of the Board of Education, and Board Liaison to the Northville Senior Advisory Commission.

Why did you join the school board? 
Quite simply, I believe in getting involved. I have a fifth-grader at Thornton Creek Elementary School and thought that I could add value by getting involved in the district. I had attended Board meetings as a citizen for eight or nine months 
and when the opportunity arose I decided to run for an open Board position. I believed my experience in the automotive arena (which was also going through significant change) could be an asset to the district. Finally, I wanted to provide the best education I could for my daughter.

Could you tell us about your personal or professional background, relevant to this position? 
I am married with two children, a daughter, in fifth grade, and son, now attending the University of Michigan in engineering. My wife, Suzanne, works for Ford Motor Company, and I have spent more than 30 years in Automotive Management at Ford, Visteon, and now AVP Automotive Business at Neusoft (an automotive software services company which opened its first office in the Detroit area late last year). I have held positions over that time in engineering, marketing, planning, strategy, and sales. We have lived in the Northville school district for more than 23 years.

What about Northville Public Schools makes you proud? 
Many things. The administration and teaching staff who have worked with us through so much change these last three years (financial cuts, health care changes, attendance boundary changes, the International Baccalaureate program start, The Leader In Me program, etc.). The community who has supported us via the Northville Educational Foundation and is willing to volunteer and get involved with a simple request. Our parents, who diligently communicate the importance of education to their children, who volunteer in schools and who set the tone for the importance of education. However, I am most proud of our students. Each of the last three years I have watched future leaders walk across the stage during graduation. They are world class in my mind.

What are your goals for the district? 
The past three years we spent a significant amount of time making sure we had a handle on financials and in putting in place tactical changes for the future operations of the district. That is behind us now. We are now focused on continuing the excellence in education for the 21st century and on how are we adapting to technology change, and helping our student be successful in this now globalized economy. We are looking at best practices in learning and how we can continue to make Northville a place people want to live due to the educational excellence provided.

Anything else you'd like to add? 
As a Board of Education, we are proud to volunteer to serve you and the district. We are open to listening to your feedback via comments at Board meetings, committee meetings, coffee chats, and personal calls when required.

Check back with Patch Monday for the next board member profile.

Previous Northville school board profiles:
Scott Craig Aims to Add Teachers in Northville Schools