Macomb Daily: Back to school — what’s new in every school district in Macomb County
From safety dogs to bus-tracking apps, all districts have something new
By: MITCH HOTTS | Macomb Daily | September 3, 2023
Macomb County’s two newest school superintendents are confidently heading into the upcoming school year after previous leaders left under stormy conditions.
Julian Roper Sr. takes over at Mount Clemens Community Schools, while Kenneth Janczarek assumes the top position at Clintondale Community Schools in neighboring Clinton Township.
It’s the first superintendent roles for both men in their education careers.
“We want our kids back,” said Roper, who comes to Mount Clemens following a sharp decline in enrollment over the years. “We have to create a valuable option for our families to feel trust in our programs again.”
Roper replaces Monique Beels as the district’s top administrator, whose days were numbered following a twerking scandal when a video of the event surfaced and the story made national headlines.
He said he’s found there are a “lot of committed people” in Mount Clemens and it’s the schools’ job to raise the level of expectations from academics to cleanliness and safety.
A few miles to the south, it’s a similar situation in Clintondale Community Schools.
Janczarek, a former Oakland County educator, takes over in place of Rodriguez Broadnax, who resigned last year amid messy allegations of racism, questions about his education credentials and an investigation into expenses.
The 45-year-old Lake Orion resident said he’s excited about beginning a “fresh start” for the Clintondale district.
“Opening day is always a big one for any school community,” he said.
“On our opening day, we had lots of smiles and great conversations with staff talking about doing what is best for our kids. We were very well received walking into all of the elementary schools and we’ll build off of those beginnings.”
Here is a brief look at some of the new faces, places and spaces at every one of Macomb County’s 21 school districts:
Anchor Bay School District
New faces: Amanda DePape, a former Chesterfield Township police officer, comes to Anchor Bay as director of Student Safety. She formerly served as a district resource officer.
Mike Mackenzie is the high school principal. He brings 26 years of experience, including having served as principal of Warren Woods Tower High School.
In all, the district has hired over 30 new teachers.
New places: Work has started on the 2022 community-approved bond program. Items include installation of key card and door sensor systems to better secure entrances, upgraded temperature controls, and cafeterias and media centers at both Lighthouse and Lottie elementary schools have received improvements.
Groundbreaking on the first major construction project including a new restaurant and relocating all 16 CTE programs at Anchor Bay High School will begin this fall. Anchor Bay High School has unveiled a new logo after a community vote
New Spaces: Maconce and Great Oaks schools will open their 25-year time capsules. Elementary students have a new science enrichment course.
Over 550 students and 70 staff members participated in Anchor Bay summer school. The district also ran summer pop-up classes that ranged from Legos to cooking. Plans are underway to expand options for next summer.
Armada Area Schools
New places: School officials were busy over the summer preparing plans for a series of infrastructure improvements after voters in the district in Macomb and St. Clair counties approved a $26.5 million bond in the spring.
Items on the list of upgrades include installing create secure entrances at Armada High School and the Macomb Academy of Arts & Science; renovating the school’s HVAC system; and replacement of the district’s fleet of school buses.
Voters also approved creation of a sinking fund to build funding over the next 10 years to buy property for school building additions and other repairs
Center Line Public Schools
New faces: Two administrators have been hired at Wolfe Middle School. Jennifer Serra, previously assistant principal, is now principal. She is joined by new assistant principal Eric Ceresa
New Places: The student population from Crothers Elementary School will be temporarily moved over to Roose Elementary School in Warren while major renovations occur including the addition of a gym, cafeteria, and four classrooms at Crothers. Construction is being financed through a 2017 bond program.
The administration building received a few upgrades that include a more user-friendly pupil services area with registration stations and changes to the board room to allow for more usage as a collaboration space.
Chippewa Valley Schools
New faces: The Board of Education hired 46 teachers and 85 support personnel and additional employees are expected to be hired this fall.
Reading interventionists and additional supports at the elementary level aimed at ensuring every CVS student is reading at their full potential.
New places: Bus routes have been consolidated in what school officials say will improve efficiency.
An app called StopFinder will be released this fall to allow parents to track their child’s bus and receive real-time notifications from Chippewa’s transportation department.
With funding from the 2018 bond, many building improvements were completed over the summer including new roofs, asphalt, concrete, mechanical and electrical work throughout the district.
Both Chippewa Valley and Dakota high schools received state-of-the-art scoreboards.
The newly-designed school media centers offer a new café area and a place to gather to collaborate in small groups on project-based assignments.
Some new security measures have been implemented, including “Go Bags” for classrooms.
The measures come from safety protocol recommendations developed by Secure Education Consultants (SEC).
New spaces: The school board eliminated pay-to-participate fees for sports for high and middle school sports as well as high school band programs.
A new initiative called Chippewa C.A.R.E.S. is designed to build character, promotes positive relationships and a sense of belonging. The Student Life Advisor Program through Ulliance will continue to offer free mental health services to every CVS K-12 student.
Clintondale Community Schools
New faces: The Board of Education has entered into a partnership with the Clinton Township Police Department to hire the district’s first-ever school resource officer. The officer is scheduled to be part of the school community beginning in the fall.
Kenneth Janczarek, a former Oakland County educator, was hired over the summer to serve as the district’s superintendent.
Janczarek, 45, was director of Special Programs at Clarkston Community Schools when he was named as leader of Clintondale. He had been with Clarkston Community Schools for the past four years.
Previously, Janczarek served as innovation director at Lapeer Community Schools, principal at Turrill Year-Round Elementary School in Lapeer, principal at Schickler Elementary School in Lapeer, and a teacher in the Waterford School District.
Two secondary behavior coaches have been added, one for Clintondale High School and another for the middle school. One middle school social studies teacher and four teachers have joined the elementary staff.
New spaces: The secondary instructional staff will undergo comprehensive Kagan Training over the coming months. Kagan’s strategies are renowned nationally for boosting student engagement levels and attendance.
A research-based reading program rooted in the science of reading and known as Amplify’s CKLA has been approved.
With additional state funding, Great Start Readiness Programs will operate five days a week and will receive a new classroom.
Eastpointe Community Schools
New faces: Todd Yaroch takes over as principal of Eastpointe High School, while Morgan Reece is principal at Eastpointe Middle School. Marquis Dorsey is Eastpointe Middle School’s dean of students.
New places: Students will have access to new media center furniture, books, and renovations at all K-12 schools.
Classroom renovations were also made at Bellview, Crescentwood, and Forest Park elementary schools
New spaces: The district has added or reinstated athletic programs such as high school and middle school cross country, boys soccer, and middle school football.
Eastpointe has formed a partnership with brand new Boys & Girls Club location in the former alternative center space.
With the community passage of a bond program in August, school officials are lining up which projects will come first when the work begins in 2024.
Fitzgerald Public Schools
New faces: The south Warren school district welcomed two new administrators.
Gary Stevens, a 15-year education veteran, is assistant principal at Fitzgerald High School. He formerly worked as pupil services director for Hamtramck Public Schools, and has an elementary and middle school principal for four years.
Andrew Semanson is assistant principal at Westview Elementary School. He is entering his 13th year in education after previously working in the Grand Rapids Public Schools district. While in Grand Rapids, he taught math, coached varsity soccer and was assistant principal of an elementary/middle K-8 school.
New places: Chatterton Middle School underwent an overhaul over the summer. Construction highlights include larger lockers for all students, renovated offices and classrooms from floor to ceiling, updated LED lighting and ceiling tiles, new floors in all classrooms, and updated BENQ interactive board technology in all classrooms.
The new student commons, school store, collaborative classroom space and media center are among some of the largest changes to the building.
Fraser Public Schools
New faces:
Mary Kate Fitzpatrick is director of elementary instruction. She has worked in Fraser for 28 years, previously as an elementary teacher, elementary instructional consultant and districtwide multi-tiered systems of support coordinator.
Kyle Ray was promoted to director of secondary instruction. A 17-year Fraser veteran, he formerly worked as a high school math teacher and high school assistant principal.
Rosa D’Amico is a career technical education supervisor supporting K-12 initiatives. She former worked as a CTE administrative assistant. She has been with the district for five years.
New places: The district has installed flexible furniture in the elementary classrooms. All young 5s-6th grade classrooms now have new furniture.
A variety of safety and security measures have been implemented including:
Installation of lock/unlock indicators on every door in the district.
All schools have upgraded to five emergency buttons in the office for use in different types of emergencies (severe weather, lockdown, lockout, etc.)
All schools and district administration received standardized two-way radios so communication can happen among staff and between buildings in the event of an emergency.
Emergency bags are in every classroom. These contain class rosters, first aid kits, and the emergency flip book for staff.
External door signage updated to indicate which have keyless entry for emergency responders.
Lake Shore Public Schools
New faces: Six school safety officers have been hired, one at each school building.
Several social workers and counselors have been added.
New places: Improvements funded by a bond program include new flooring, paint and furniture replacement.
Construction is set to begin on the $18 million Rodgers Elementary renovation and a new Early Childhood and Community Center.
An integrated safety alert system including hallway “lockdown” buttons have been added.
Renovations are being made to playgrounds and a community sled hill is being formed.
Lakeview Public Schools
New faces: The district will have a furry, four-legged friend hanging around school buildings this year.
Lakeview is now employing a firearms/explosives-detection safety dog through Zebra K9. Superintendent Karl Paulson said the canine unit is a tool of safety protocols to prevent weapons or drugs in school buildings.
L’Anse Creuse Public Schools
New faces: L’Anse Creuse has made several hires or changes in administrators.
They include Amy Gole, director for the Frederick V. Pankow Center and CTE Program; Scott Henwood, principal of L’Anse Creuse Middle School – Central; Major Mickens, director for Student Services and Community Education; Christine Sampier, associate director for the Pankow Center; Alysia Samborsky, principal for L’Anse Creuse High School; and Kristin Cairo, associate principal for L’Anse Creuse Middle School – Central.
Also new to the district is Katelyn Hill, the community relations coordinator.
L’Anse Creuse has hired over 15 teachers this year, added four media clerks and four math specialists.
New places: Additional safety and security equipment were installed in all schools and buildings. In keeping with the safety theme, all administrators have participated in Macomb County Threat Assessment Training.
Both high school football fields and tracks will be replaced.
New spaces: L’Anse Creuse will implement a new strategic plan this year
Mount Clemens Community Schools
New faces: Julian Roper Sr. departs Wolfe Middle School in Center Line Public Schools to take over as superintendent.
He formerly served as a principal for Detroit Leadership Academy; athletic director, attendance agent, Title One liaison, youth worker, and long-term special education teacher for Detroit Public Schools.
Roper developed a 90-day strategic plan focusing on areas such as positive board/superintendent relations, establishing public trust, developing an action plan to increase student achievement, and increasing organizational effectiveness.
New places: Students and staff from the former M.L. King Jr. Academy transitioned to Seminole Academy as King was closed over the summer due to declining enrollment. The move is expected to save the district about $350,000.
New spaces: School officials are hopeful for the future as the district has applied for grants to renovate the secondary campus and “bring the building back to life” in coming months.
Also, a welcome-back-to-school event drew 40 new enrollment applications, reversing a trend of declining numbers.
New Haven Community Schools
New faces: Several teachers will debut before students this fall.
They include Mary Beth Kalbaugh, who will split her time between the first and second grades; Bobbie Jo Scieszka, second grade instructor; fourth grade teacher, Madeline Cole; and Haley VanSteenkiste in developmental kindergarten.
Richmond Community Schools
New spaces: Richmond Community Schools this year will begin offering new elective courses in the field of computer science, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics), and fine arts.
The classes include:
ESPORTS and Master Coding for Grades 10,11, and 12 — focuses on digital graphics, print media, computer animation, video production, web design, and other emerging forms of digital media..
AP Computer Science Principles for Grades 9-12 — an introductory college-level computing course that introduces students to the breadth of the field of computer science.
Theatre for Grades 9-12 — This course introduces theater from page to stage as a live performing art.
Environmental Science for Grades 11-12 — The study of the biology of the environment and examine the impact that society and technology have on the planet.
STEAM Innovations for Grades 6-7 — Students will explore interactive projects using concepts of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics.
Romeo Community Schools
New faces: New to Romeo High School are:
Paul D’Angelo, video production
Antoinette Genovese, culinary art
Francesa Hughes, Spanish
Valia Jirjees, social studies/ ELA
Tatum Lorway, art
Molly Northupsmith, science
Vaso Zarmakoupis, social studies/psychology
At Romeo Middle School:
Karen Saabedra, Spanish
Lea Ott, science
Amanda Moore Elementary
Cassidy Tisler, 4th grade
Megan Snyder, 5th grade
Hamilton Parsons Elementary
Erin Gillepsie, 5thgrade
Tony Gillepsie, 4th grade.
Krystal Hildebrant, SE RR
Hevel Elementary
Meredith Griffin, 3rd grade
Olivia Orisini, 4th grade
Indian Hills
Hannah Raymond, 4th grade
Julia Sanko, 4th grade
Washington
Lauren Wickersham, kindergarten
Fara Galati, 4th grade
Also, the district has hired Brittany Noland as an early childhood special education and district psychologist Ornela Shkreli.
Roseville Community Schools
New faces: The district this year welcomes two new administrators as well as changes in principalships.
Joseph Trobaugh is principal at Fountain Elementary, and Alexandra Ward is the new dean of students at Eastland Middle School.
Trobaugh, a 1998 Roseville High School graduate, comes back to the district after 18 years as an educator in a neighboring district. Since 2012, he has taught fourth/fifth grade accelerated social studies and ELA. He has also held positions as a summer school reading instructor and a tutor for Brainspring, a company specializing in teaching students with dyslexia.
Ward has been teaching ELA at Roseville Middle School and Eastland Middle School since 2019. She has also served as an after-school tutor and a member of the Community and Culture Committee.
In other moves, Brenda Baker heads over to Dort Elementary to become principal, Brandon Komarowski moves to Patton Elementary as the principal, and Joe Jelson is assistant principal at Roseville Middle School.
New places: A variety of infrastructure and cosmetic improvements continued this summer using funds from the community-approved 2018 bond initiative, including:
Renovation of the News and Broadcasting Media Productions Studio at the high school. The move will create a bigger space for student video productions, complete with a green screen and an increased editing suite area with upgraded computers. The lab is expected to be ready for classes in the fall.
Work is near completion on the Ascension Health Clinic at Roseville Middle School, which is going into the old L.B. Williams Room area. A mental health specialist is already being used by students, with room for expansion in the future.
The 2018 bond brings two technology refreshes for 1:1 student devices. With initial purchases of student laptops and iPads in 2019 complete, the district is starting work on the first refresh. During the fall, Roseville will be collaborating with teachers and staff to evaluate potential new student laptops and iPads that are available by comparing their functionality, durability, warranty coverage, and support.
Several smaller projects were completed this summer. At Roseville High, galvanized pipes are being replaced with copper pipes, which are resistant to corrosion and less likely to develop a leak.
Every school is being equipped with drinking water bottle fillers, which were retrofitted to the existing water fountains.
Also at the high school, heating units are being replaced in the kitchen, auto tech wing, science labs at the middle school, and at the Ascension Clinic. There is also a replacement of the railing system in the upstairs hallway near the east entrance at Roseville High.
South Lake Public Schools
New faces: Administration
Corey Edwards – athletic director
Austin Woodside – dean of students, South Lake Middle School
Emma Lee Zamm – Early Childhood director, Koepsell Early Childhood Center
Professional Support Staff
Christine Morey – South Lake Middle School social worker
Teachers
Beatrice Castro – Avalon Elementary School, Special Education
Michelle Colla – Avalon Elementary School, Special Education
Haily McQueen – Avalon Elementary School, first grade
Katelyn Engedretson – Elmwood Elementary School, third grade
Kara Hess – Elmwood Elementary School, Special Education
Anna Randazzo – Elmwood Elementary School, fourth grade
Sarah Schultz – Elmwood Elementary School
Joy Gregg – South Lake Middle School, Spanish
Maria MacAllister-Rowe – South Lake Middle School, teacher consultant
Christine Morey – South Lake Middle School, Special Education
Alyssa Stehlin – South Lake Middle School, social studies
Allison Taylor – South Lake Middle School, English
Taylor Diamond – South Lake High School, art
Michelle Downs – South Lake High School, culinary arts
April Felton – South Lake High School, math
Kimberly Hojnacki – South Lake High School, math
Christina McClure – South Lake High School, science
David Robare – South Lake High School, math
Ricky Stanley – South Lake High School, auto shop
Support Staff
Symantha Caudill – South Lake High School, attendance secretary
Emma Nicodemus – South Lake High School, athletic secretary
Utica Community Schools
New places: Michigan’s second largest school district is starting the school year riding the momentum of the adoption of a long-range strategic plan and overwhelming community support of a non-homestead millage replacement and most comprehensive bond issue in the district’s history.
UCS voters set into motion the largest construction program in the district’s history with approval of a $550 bond issue. The first series of bonds will be sold this spring with projects beginning in the summer of 2024.
The bond issue will allow the district to study its enrollment patterns and consider adjustments that will expand space to create further options for students and create efficiencies that redirect resources back to classrooms.
New spaces: The Board of Education approved across-the-board curriculum improvement to support the district’s mission to inspire remarkable achievement, officials said.
Improvements include early literacy, mathematical fluency, Career and Technical Education, expanded wellness services and support, the continued expansion of Advancement via individualized determination, an upgraded and deepened elementary science curriculum along with new resources across academic areas.
The recent adoption of a strategic plan will focus improvements in three key areas: culture of empowerment, culture of caring and culture of transformation.
Van Dyke Public Schools
New faces: Adam Laur, a former teacher at McKinley Elementary School, is now the school’s new principal.
Meanwhile, Joann (Giovanna) is the new turnaround director. She formerly served as McKinley principal; former Lincoln High School teacher Darrius Alexander is the school’s dean of students; Siobhan Whitehead, who formerly taught at Lincoln; is the data and improvement facilitator; and Paris Ritter takes over as graduation, college and career coach.
New places: The district has installed new public address systems and new cameras to upgrade safety at all buildings.
New spaces: Van Dyke is using Michigan Department of Education grants for safety and mental health measures to support all students, staff, and buildings as well as provide parent workshops.
Joseph Trobaugh, Ph.D. has been named principal of Fountain Elementary School in Roseville (PHOTO COURTESY OF ROSEVILLE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS).
Warren Consolidated Schools
New faces: Several new administrators have been appointed including Kevin Little as principal of Warren Mott High School; Michael Lee, principal of Black Elementary; Matthew Babcock, assistant principal of Warren Mott High School: Grant Syswerda, assistant principal, Carleton Middle School; Miranda Elias, assistant principal, Cousino High School; and Kimberly Winters, employee services and benefits manager.
Warren Con has also added:
33 teachers
1 psychologist
4 social workers
1 speech-language pathologist
11 nutrition services staff members
2 transportation employees
9 custodians
6 secretaries
1 lunch person
4 childcare staff members
25 classroom aides
New places: Thanks to funds from the voter-approved $150 million bond proposal in 2022, improvements made over the summer months include:
Mechanical systems renovated at Cousino High School, Sterling Heights High School, and Warren Mott High School
Swimming pools renovated at Cousino and Sterling Heights High schools
Flooring replacement at Cousino and Warren Mott
New task chairs for employee workstations district-wide
New general education and special education busses
Security camera upgrades
Security card access was added
Building paging upgrades
New spaces: All WCS students will have access to new math resources as part of a 2-year plan using grant funds. Students will have print and digital access to the materials in school and at home.
The district held three active shooter response training sessions for staff this summer. The active shooter response training was a daylong realistic training session presented by Rick Scholz, district director of security and crisis management, in partnership with the Sterling Heights and Warren police departments. Employees participated in the training that placed them in realistic scenarios in a variety of school environments.
Warren Woods Public Schools
New faces: Ian Fredlun was appointed as principal at Warren Woods Tower High School in northeastern Warren following seven years in the assistant principal role. He was hired in 2012 to teach at Enterprise High School.
“My goal for the next stage of my career is to put kids first, every single day,” Fredlun said at the June board meeting for his promotion.
Taking Fredlun’s spot as assistant principal is Josh Thelen. He comes to Warren from the Dearborn 7 School District.
Warren Woods hired seven teachers across all buildings.
New spaces: Warren Woods has contracted with a security firm called SEC (Security Edcation Consultants) SHIELD, a safety management firm, to provide security personnel at the Middle School and High School.
SHEILD will have five personnel stationed at the two buildings.