Two students and a parent asked the Dearborn Public Schools Board of Education on Jan. — during the board’s citizen participation period — to start baseball teams for middle schools in the spring of 2025.

Hudson Salman, an eighth-grade student, told the board he has played baseball since kindergarten and would “love the opportunity to play with my friends who I go to school with.” Musa Murphy, a seventh-grader, said a school baseball program would teach teamwork, life skills and get students outdoors. Parent Musaadah Murphy described coordination problems that currently push families to travel leagues or to other districts and offered to help form a community committee.

The request drew several follow-up comments from trustees and district leaders. Trustee Steve D’Ambrosio and Trustee Hussain Berry said they attended a community meeting on the topic and encouraged district staff to look into logistical issues such as transportation and field access. Trustee Irene Watts said the district is already working to expand feeder programs such as softball and noted recent city investments in local fields.

Deputy Superintendent Doctor Maleko (acting in administration) said the district will explore possibilities and expects to invite community representatives, including athletics staff, to the February cabinet meeting to discuss next steps. At that meeting, board members asked administrators to consider grant and partnership opportunities and to examine female sports participation as part of the broader athletics plan.

Procedural actions recorded during the meeting included a motion by Trustee Petlichkoff, seconded by Trustee Berry, to move citizen participation earlier on the agenda; the motion passed on a unanimous roll call. The board also approved minutes from prior meetings on a motion by Trustee Steve D’Ambrosio, seconded by Trustee Petlichkoff, by unanimous roll call.

Board members and parents noted the district must address funding, transportation and scheduling before starting middle school baseball. Multiple speakers said local recreational organizations and parents have equipment and volunteer capacity; the parent who spoke volunteered to serve on a committee. Trustees asked athletics staff and community partners, including the city recreation department, to explore cooperative models.

The board did not take a formal vote to create a middle school baseball program at this meeting. Trustees directed staff to study options and to place the matter on a future cabinet agenda for more detailed consideration.