Hazel Park board places superintendent on paid administrative leave; board to seek interim from Oakland Schools

The Hazel Park Board of Education voted Jan. 27 to place Superintendent Croupy on paid administrative leave pending an internal investigation and barred the superintendent from district property or direct communication with staff and students without prior board approval.

The resolution—read into the record during the Jan. 27 meeting—directed that the board president or a designee provide a copy of the leave notice to Superintendent Croupy on Jan. 28 and that the superintendent “cease performance of her responsibilities and duties as district superintendent without loss of salary or benefits.” The board also approved a separate motion, with an amendment, directing the board president to contact Oakland Schools by Jan. 28, 2025, to request assistance identifying an interim superintendent.

The vote came after a lengthy public-comment period in which residents raised concerns about district leadership, an apparent security matter involving master keys at the high school, and the district’s recent legal-retainer communications. The board’s motions were moved and supported in open session and approved by roll call votes.

Why it matters: The leave removes the district’s chief executive from daily duties while the board investigates matters raised by community members and board members. The decision immediately shifts operational responsibility and triggers the search for short-term administrative coverage.

Board action and rules in the resolution: The resolution places Superintendent Croupy on “paid administration non discretionary leave pending the district’s investigation,” prohibits direct or indirect communication with district employees and students, and requires board approval for presence on district property. The amendment to seek an interim superintendent specifies the board president contact Oakland Schools on Jan. 28, 2025.

Community concerns that preceded the vote included allegations that a superintendent’s public comment revealed the existence of 40-plus master keys that could grant access to multiple rooms at the high school, and questions about an attorney-retainer invoice dating and communication. During public comment, resident Brian Bischoff told the board he was worried that revealing lock/key arrangements publicly creates a security risk; other residents said social-media disputes and personnel decisions—especially around coaching hires—are harming school programs and community trust.

Several board members expressed concern about transparency and the optics of closed-session decisions during the meeting. Multiple speakers urged clearer communication with the community and better internal processes for working with legal counsel.

Votes at a glance (select actions from Jan. 27 meeting): - Motion: Place Superintendent Croupy on paid administrative leave pending investigation. Outcome: Approved (roll call). Notes: Leave is with pay; restrictions on communication and presence on district property as stated in the board resolution. - Motion (amended): Board president to contact Oakland Schools to seek an interim superintendent by Jan. 28, 2025. Outcome: Approved (roll call). - Motion: Approve addition of three grant-funded Promise Navigator positions. Outcome: Approved. - Motion: Approve Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency lease (contract revenue to general fund). Outcome: Approved. - Motion: Approve student summer help/jobs for several departments. Outcome: Approved. - Motion: Approve student-discipline actions (as presented). Outcome: Approved. - Motion: Approve IDEA full-funding resolution (federal advocacy). Outcome: Approved. - Motion: Approve 2025 calendar dates. Outcome: Approved. - Motion: Approve school-of-choice resolution for 2025–26. Outcome: Approved. - Motion: Approve overnight trip for varsity girls wrestling to Midland tournament. Outcome: Approved.

What the board did not decide at the meeting: The board did not vote on athletic-hiring decisions raised repeatedly during public comment. Those personnel decisions remain with the administration unless and until the board takes separate action.

Next steps and context: The board’s directive to contact Oakland Schools is intended to expedite identification of interim administrative coverage. The district’s community members called for clearer communication about security practices, personnel processes, and the board’s use of closed sessions during upcoming meetings.

Speakers quoted in this article came from the Jan. 27 public-comment and meeting record; quotes were attributed only to named speakers in the transcript and the text reflects actions taken in open session. No disciplinary findings were reported at the time of the leave; the resolution notes the leave is pending investigation and does not constitute a final determination.