Dearborn board swears in two trustees, approves search contract and hears budget update

Nasri Sew and Ali K. Bazi were sworn in as trustees of the Dearborn City School District on Oct. 13, 2025, completing the board’s membership before the evening’s business. The oaths were administered by Julia Habib and Johaina Bazi, respectively, and each trustee offered brief remarks of thanks and a commitment to accessibility.

The board moved to approve the consent and action items listed on the meeting agenda, including multiple vendor awards, personnel items and a contract with Academic Search for executive search consulting services for Henry Ford College. Trustee Ajani moved the motion, and Trustee Petlichkoff seconded. In a roll-call later in the meeting, present trustees recorded affirmative votes and the motion carried.

Superintendent Dr. Malayko told the board that the district had received the state budget and that preliminary analysis looked positive for Dearborn, but cautioned that line-by-line review was still under way. He highlighted a roughly 25% increase in Section 31a funding and said the district was monitoring federal Title I–IV allocations for next year. The superintendent also described a proposal to hire a third athletic trainer across the high schools and previewed focus groups and planning work for a potential future facilities bond to address long-term infrastructure needs.

Why it matters: Sworn trustees will participate in votes that shape district policy and spending. The Academic Search contract moves forward a separate presidential search at Henry Ford College, and the superintendent’s budget comments flag areas that could affect staffing and programs if federal funding levels change.

Board action and next steps: The agenda items approved include contract awards and personnel recommendations; the board requested follow-up budget detail and analysis once central office completes its review. The meeting packet lists specific vendor awards and personnel items that will be reflected in official minutes and financial reports.

Quotes: “I do hereby swear and affirm … of the school district of the city of Dearborn,” (oath administered to new trustees). Superintendent Dr. Malayko said the state budget included some positive items for the district but that the administration was “still waiting on an analysis of the detail.”

The board set several follow-up items, including a request for federal program budget detail and continued work on bond planning. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.