Superintendent details retirements, summer grant awards and a county water-main project; district sets vacancy-posting timeline

Superintendent Jennifer Green told the Southfield Board of Education on Feb. 11 that several employees have notified the district of retirements effective June 30, 2025, and that the district is taking steps to reduce fall staffing disruption by posting open positions by March 1, 2025.

"We are sending a letter to all retirees from Southfield Public Schools ... if you are a retiree from Southfield Public Schools and are interested in being added to that list, that is one avenue that we are going to pursue," Green said, describing an effort to re-engage retirees under the state rule that allows rehiring retirees at similar compensation.

Green also announced a $1,280,000 grant the district received for summer discovery learning programming in summer 2025. The grant will fund expanded summer academic enrichment and related activities, district staff said.

Separately, Green told the board the county will begin a water-main replacement project adjacent to Southfield High School for the Arts & Technology. She emphasized the work is an Oakland County project, not a district project, and that county crews will start work in late June. "This is not a Southfield Public Schools project. This is an Oakland County water main project that will run adjacent to Southfield High School for the arts and technology," Green said, adding the district is in contact with county commissioners to clarify timing and neighborhood impacts.

On short-term operations, the district announced closures of after-school programs for the forecasted storm and a remote learning day on Thursday; parents were asked to send students home with devices and materials for the remote day. School leaders warned parents bus routes and drop-off times could be delayed in bad weather and reminded the community that state law fines drivers who pass stopped school buses.

Green said the district will immediately post fall 2025 openings so current staff may request transfers and so the district can recruit certified candidates and college-graduate teachers; human resources will also contact retirees who wish to return. The board emphasized the urgency of filling vacancies to avoid a repeat of last year's staffing disruptions.