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Dearborn board continues vacancy interviews as candidates stress mental‑health access, safety and bond transparency
Summary
At a Sept. 2 special meeting, applicants for two vacant seats on the Dearborn City School District board emphasized mental‑health services, school safety, clearer communications around a potential bond and professional development; no appointment was made and interviews continue Thursday.
The Dearborn City School District Board of Education continued interviews for vacant trustee seats at a special meeting on Sept. 2, 2025, hearing pitches from applicants who highlighted expanding mental‑health access, prioritizing school safety and ensuring transparency around a potential infrastructure bond.
Shama Monzer, chief programs officer at Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency and an applicant for the board, described a long record of local service and nonprofit management and said she oversees "over 120,000,000 in federal, state, and local funding" supporting programs for families in Wayne County. "Mental health is [a] key need for our children," Monzer said, praising the district's Care Solace program as "a big win" that provides free, round‑the‑clock bilingual support.
Dr. Adwan Saleh, who identified himself as having advanced degrees and experience in project management and higher‑education teaching, framed board responsibilities as setting district vision and policy and pressed for data‑driven facility and safety decisions. "Safety is essential for effective learners," Saleh said, and he stressed that upgrades must comply with building codes and ADA standards.
Nolly Lukman, a candidate with a K–12 instructional and leadership background who said she previously received nearly 7,000 votes in a board contest, emphasized collaboration with parents and staff and said board members should gather accurate information before making decisions. "It's teamwork," Lukman said, describing the board role as weighing difficult operational decisions while representing the community.
Another applicant, who identified himself as Adeze, told trustees the district is "at a pivotal crossroads" with vacancies for the superintendent and a college president and an upcoming bond proposal. He said past voter reluctance — including the failed 2019 bond — has underlined the need for clearer, accessible communications. He cited his work on a successful 2024 millage renewal, which the candidate said passed with 72% district‑wide support, as an example of outreach he would bring to a bond campaign.
James Downey, a community‑college instructor and applicant, urged strengthening teacher professional development in technology and suggested a more interactive public vetting process for future candidates rather than prepared speeches. He said district staff and teachers should be supported to use learning‑management systems and other classroom technology.
No formal appointment or vote took place at the meeting; the board chair said the panel will continue interviews on Thursday and that there were no public comments that evening. The board adjourned after completing the scheduled candidates for the night.
Meeting details: the board indicated 19 additional interviews remain on Thursday; the panel did not take formal action during the Sept. 2 session.
