The East Detroit Board of Education is a seven-member legislative body elected by residents of the school district. Officer assignments are elected by the Board each January at their organizational meeting.

The Board consists of:

President:  Craig Wodecki
Vice-President:   Jon Gruenberg
Secretary:   Paul Seibert
Treasurer:   Craig Brozowski
Trustees (3):  Jon G. Gruenberg;  Margaret Podsiadlik;  Deena Trocino

The Board of Education is responsible for local school matters established by the State of Michigan and to local school district citizens. The Board is a policy making body who determines general policies for the care, management, and control of the district's public schools.

Board Member Compensation

Board members in the district receive a $3,000 salary per calendar year for attending monthly meetings.

Board Policy Manual

The East Detroit Board of Education Policy Manual can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

http://policy.ctspublish.com/eastdetroit-masb

Meeting Schedule

Board of Education meetings will be held at the Eastpointe City Hall located at 23200 Gratiot Ave. - Eastpointe.    Board Meeting Schedule

The East Detroit Board of Education has implemented a process for "paperless" school board meeting information packets. To view and/or print agendas, minutes and other information for the upcoming board meeting, click on the BoardBook icon below:

 

Archived Board Meeting Minutes
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2005-2006 School Year
2004-2005 School Year
2003-2004 School Year
Spring 2002-2003 School Year

Board Goals

Click this link for a printer friendly version of the goals.
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Develop a comprehensive public relations plan which explains and promotes the programs and services of the school district. The plan shall make use of a broad range of media, and speak to both current and prospective residents.

Develop a program for foreign language instruction in the elementary schools with full implementation in September of 2008.

Expand use of District libraries/media centers, especially at the secondary school level. Allow greater community access to these facilities, where possible.

Develop a core curriculum tutoring program for all grades. Include provisions for both after-school and summer instruction.

Expand opportunities for student involvement in programs which promote higher level thinking skills. Programs should be available at all grade levels, and may involve competition with other schools where appropriate.

Promote appropriate higher academic standards for all students who wish to participate in extracurricular school activities.

Develop an alternative education program for early adolescent at-risk students with implementation in 2008-09.

Craig Brozowski, Treasurer
E-mail: craigbrozowski@wowway.com
 

Biographical Information:
Craig Brozowski has been a resident of Eastpointe for the last 15 years.  He is married to Ril and has one son, Holden, who attends Bellview Elementary School.  He has worked as a machinist but is currently embarking on a new career.  Mr. Brozowski is involved in the East Detroit Public Schools Parent Public Relations Team (PPRT) and the Macomb County Detachment of the Marine Corps League.  He serves as the Bellview PTO Vice-President and Committee Chair for Cub Scout Pack 1909.  He is interested in reading, history and music.

AS A BOARD MEMBER, WHAT ARE YOUR:

Priorities:
To help reduce the budget deficit so we can take a proactive, rather than reactive, approach to the education of the children of our district.  Many of the issues facing our district have to do with the financial hardship of not only our district, but also our community as a whole.  The changes that have come recently, while necessary, have unfortunately left many of our families wondering what drastic cuts or changes will come next.  Many are afraid, and are thinking they are better off in another school district.  This simply is not the case and we cannot afford to lose more students or their families’ support.  We need to make more effort to reach out to our community and to highlight the positive experience that our district offers.  We need to make it clear that not only is the grass not greener on the other side, but that leaving makes our district weaker by their absence.  We need to come together as neighbors and make our district something to fight for, rather than run from.  This can and must be done.  Our community deserves it!

Goals:
§  To give our children the education they need to succeed in our changing world.
§  To foster more parental involvement.
§  To communicate more effectively with the entire East Detroit Public Schools community.

To remind everyone that the future is in the children that we are raising.  Their success is a reflection of the education they receive.

Jon Gruenberg, Vice-President
E-mail: edwc96@wowway.com
 Phone: 586-354-8073

Biographical Information:
Mr. Gruenberg is married to Cassie and has four children-three of which are alumni of East Detroit High School and the forth is a senior at the high school. Jon works as a machine builder and has been a resident of the East Detroit Public School district "as a parent" for over 20 years.

Mr. Gruenberg is also active in the community. He is currently supervising the Shamrock Elite Wrestling Club. Jon founded the East Detroit Wrestling club, previously coached in the local American Youth Soccer Organization, helped found the Eastpointe Soccer Club, and volunteered for many activities in the school district.

Mr. Gruenberg has completed enough continuing education needed to receive the Master Board Member Award presented by the Michigan Association of School Boards.

AS A BOARD MEMBER, WHAT ARE YOUR:

Priorities, Goals and/or Suggestions:
* fostering greater parental and community involvement
* exciting the student body about their education
* empowering and holding accountable district personnel
* cleaning, organizing, repairing and updating our facilities
* cutting costs without impacting services

His number one goal is to provide an environment conducive to educating our students so that they can achieve their future goals and be productive members of society.

Comment:
TO ANYONE THAT MAY READ THIS: Please talk to your Board members and district administrators so that they can have the input necessary to perform their duties. Let's all be respectful of each other and stay involved in OUR children's lives--they want and need our attention.

Jon G. Gruenberg, Trustee
E-mail: gruen1jg@gmail.com
 

AS A BOARD MEMBER, WHAT ARE YOUR:

Priorities:
To make sure each student receives a quality education and is prepared for life.  To make smart, economic choices that will ensure that the needs of the present budget are met without jeopardizing the well being of the students.

Goals:
Excite the student, staff, coaches and the community about our schools, sports and the education of our kids.

Suggestions/Comments:
Get involved with our community.  Let’s build a safer and smarter community.

Margaret Podsiadlik, Trustee
E-mail: 586mags@gmail.com

Biographical Information:
Margaret is a life long resident of Eastpointe and is married to Frank. They are both graduates of East Detroit High School. They have three children, Jerry, Nicole and John.

Margaret has been active at the Bellview PTO and is currently the Vice-President. She is an involved parent for Cub Scouts Pack 1909. She has been a life long member of Holy Innocents/St. Barnabas Catholic Church and is currently a lector, catechist, youth group assistant and a member of their Stewardship Commission. She previously was Chairperson and Secretary for the Holy Innocents/St. Barnabas Parish Pastoral Council.

AS A BOARD MEMBER, WHAT ARE YOUR:

Priorities, Goals and/or Suggestions:
I believe that when making decisions and setting goals, our students should be the priority. Clearly, the financial crisis we are in is a top priority and I want to assist in a plan that will reduce our deficit with the least impact on our students. I want to see our students become more competitive academically. I also think that our students deserve to be in a safe, nurturing environment where they are encouraged to excel to their full potential.

I strongly encourage parents and students to communicate their needs with Board Members and Administrators.

Paul E. Seibert, Secretary
E-mail: peseibert@wowway.com
Phone: 586-419-1595

Biographical Information:
Married to Joan (Kearns). Has a daughter, Laura. Currently employed by St. John Health System for over 30 years. Works in the Home Care Division as a Licensed Practical Nurse and Liaison at St. John Macomb Hospital. Graduated from Port Huron High School and St. Clair County Community College. Enjoys Classical, Jazz and New Age music. Enjoys outside activities such as golf and swimming, as well as playing cards and working on the computer. Member of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Roseville. Also is active in the community of Eastpointe.

AS A BOARD MEMBER, WHAT ARE YOUR:

Priorities, Goals and/or Suggestions:
I have spoken out on class sizes and still maintain this as a personal goal. I have explored ways to reduce the student-teacher ratio. This has been a concern of the parents in the District as well as the teachers. There have been many changes taking place in the District over this past year. Along with these changes we can still maintain our goal of smaller class size. As a Board, we closed Warrendale Elementary and had the building demolished in 2007. The property remains vacant at this time. Kantner Elementary School was closed at the beginning the school year 2007 and is now housing our Children's Services Office and early development programs. At a recent Board meeting we have re-aligned grades back to K-5, 6-8 and 9-12 to begin with the school year 2008-09. (This appears to be the way our present grades are made up but this has been a change made from a previous motion made for the school year 2008 - 09 to move the ninth grade to the Middle Schools and sixth grade back to the Elementary Schools)

As requested by many parents and students in the District, the ninth grade will be its own entity at the High School. The ninth graders will be housed on the third floor of the High School. This is to achieve our goal of capturing the students academically. These changes will involve some construction work within the High School. Construction to connect the third floor old with the third floor new is needed for the students to move from one hall to another without leaving the third floor to the second and back up again. This should be completed by the 2008-09 school year. With all of the changes being made by the State of Michigan for graduation I feel confident that by keeping the High School 9-12 we will achieve our expectations and that of the state.

We are now a School of Choice within Macomb County. A campaign will be started in the spring to recruit new students to the District. We have hired the services of J. L. Barlow and Associates to formally do a campaign that will include postcard mailings, newspaper advertisement, and a cable package with Comcast and WOW and radio spots. As a Board we have a goal of having a Public Relations person in the District. I will be pushing to have someone before the start of the 2008 - 09 school year.

We have all-day kindergarten that has been a success to the district. Our projected enrollment from February 2007 based on half days was 278 students. For the 2007 - 08 school year we have 368 Kindergartners all of which are in an all-day program. It is our hope that as the students graduate to the first grade they will remain with us through the twelfth grade.

The Board met in February to form a strategic plan that will lead the District to the future. There will be many changes that are coming to the East Detroit Public Schools. I would encourage everyone to pay close attention to our District website to monitor what is happening in the District. Cuts still coming from the Governor's office have and will affect the financial future of education, as you and I know it. New demands have to be met at the Federal level also. All of this falls on the burden of each school district. The changes that are coming will not interfere with the education of our student body. Our Administrators are working diligently to put the plans and goals of the Board of Education in place with the least effect on the education process.

I have worked very hard and diligently as an elected Trustee of your school district. I will continue to do what is right to preserve the education and well being of our students. Changes are hard to make and to accept, but I promise to do everything to the best of my ability to accomplish the goals of this Board of Education.

Deena Trocino, Trustee
E-mail: deenatrocino@gmail.com
 

Biographical Information:
I have been a resident of Eastpointe for 7 years.  My husband Doug and I have 5 children Gina, 24; Tommy, 21; Dougie, 20; Tony, 12 and Gracie, 13 months.

My family is very active in our community. I am serving on the board of the ECCNF (Eastpointe Community Chest Networking Forum) plus I’m a member of P.A.C.E (Police & Community for Equality) and the Eastpointe/Roseville Chamber of Commerce. You can see Doug and me with our Eastside Teen Outreach group at many community events, fundraisers and community service projects wearing their yellow shirts.

 

I love kids, especially teens. I am serving as the Executive Youth Director for the Eastside Teen Outreach in Eastpointe, working with hundreds of teens from all over the southeast Macomb County area. The majority of these teens are students from East Detroit High & Kelly Middle School. My position with Eastside Teen Outreach has taught me how to accomplish a lot with few resources. But more importantly, working closely with literally dozens of Eastpointe families has made me familiar with the issues our teachers, parents and students face.

 

My family moved to Eastpointe in 2005 specifically to work with our youth. There isn’t a time that I am not surrounded by teens.  I spend my days mentoring, counseling and providing kids with opportunities to make better choices in their lives.

I strongly believe that children are our most valuable resource. The community is responsible for modeling morality, respect, and family values to youth and for providing them with every tool available to ensure their success in life. My true passion is to see every child and teen know that they are truly valuable and special. It’s up to us as the adults in their lives to help them to see their true God given potential and live it out for themselves.

 There are a growing number of youth who are hurting and often more deeply than our generation has been willing to acknowledge. Many of our students are simply not functioning in a capacity to learn effectively because they are overwhelmed by their lives. They are dealing with issues that previous generations did not have to face. Academic performances and coping skills suffer because of this. We cannot ignore this problem. We must acknowledge that the needs of our students today are different than what they have been in the past. We need to implement programs to help our students cope emotionally as well as succeed academically. Because finances are so tight, we must find creative solutions to address these important issues while still balancing our budget.

It is our duty and honor to pass the baton on to our next generation and prepare them for the future. They will be our next community leaders, business owners and parents.

My number one goal is to bring parents, teachers, administrators and community leaders together to provide an environment of hope for our children and ensure their continued success after they graduate.

I would also like to see the reputation of the East Detroit School District be one of excellence where students are thriving, one that our community is excited about and families are proud to have their children attend. The school district sets the atmosphere for the city. If our schools are thriving then our city will as well. East Detroit Schools have a history of being one of the best districts in the state.  We can bring that heritage back.

Craig Wodecki, President
E-mail: wodecki@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 586-772-5007

 

Biographical Information:  Married to Kathy (EDHS Class of 1975). Daughter, Christina (EDHS Class of 2001) attended Kantner and Kelly Middle School. Presently working as an Engineer for AT&T.  

Community/Civic Group Affiliation(s):  Eight Mile-Kelly Homeowners' Association.

Hobbies and Interests:  Maintaining my backyard pond, golf, and cheering for the EDHS Shamrocks and the Detroit Tigers!

AS A BOARD MEMBER, WHAT ARE YOUR:

Priorities:
Student success--that's why we're here!

Goals:
A community-centered district -- let's get all of the students living within our boundaries back in our schools. Historically, East Detroit has always provided an excellent education for their students and I would like to keep it that way.

Getting the District back to financial solvency. Working collaboratively with the City of Eastpointe -- in an age where dollars are few, we need to share services and resources for the good of our community.

Allowing administrators and teachers to introduce innovative ways of educating our students. Too many times, we use the same template as other districts. With the talent that we have on our staff, we should allow them the ability to tailor our curriculum to the needs of our students.