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Parents, students and mayor press Dearborn schools on auto‑shop vacancy and football program response
Summary
At the Oct. 13 Dearborn Board meeting Mayor Meredith Gordon and parents described an ongoing Edsel Ford advanced auto-shop teacher vacancy and emotional impacts on students; parents also thanked the district for swift action responding to a toxic Dearborn High football situation and urged restorative supports for affected students.
Parents, students and the mayor raised two personnel-related concerns at the Dearborn Board of Education meeting on Oct. 13.
Mayor Meredith Gordon described a continuing vacancy in the Edsel Ford advanced auto-shop course, saying, "It’s been over 3 weeks now that the auto shop program has not had a teacher at Edsel," and that students are effectively being "babysat" during the two-hour elective. Gordon said she had not seen an official communication from administration about the teacher’s departure and added — quoting the teacher’s account — that the teacher "did not want to resign" and was "threatened." She asked the board to act and requested follow-up contact from administration for affected parents.
Superintendent Doctor Malayko responded that a recommendation to hire an auto-shop teacher "just came in," acknowledged career-and-technical staffing shortages, and said the administration would follow up with the principal and parents to ensure instruction resumes.
Earlier in the public-comment period, parent Somer Saad thanked the district for "taking quick action" addressing a "toxic" situation in the Dearborn High football program and urged the district to continue restorative practices so students can "find their way back to their goals." A student involved in the incident, Ahmed Syed, apologized to teammates and asked to finish the season.
Board members and administration repeatedly emphasized the district’s use of restorative practices and acknowledged recruitment challenges for specialized positions such as career-technical instructors and athletic trainers. Trustees requested clearer and timelier parent communication when vacancies or personnel disruptions affect instruction.
The superintendent said the district is working through HR processes to restore instruction and will communicate updates to parents.
