Harper Woods schools earn six-year COGNIA accreditation; Corewell Health discusses donation

Dr. Hannah Jaber reported to the Harper Woods Board of Education that the district received COGNIA accreditation. Superintendent Steven McGhee clarified that the district held accreditation prior to his arrival and said the accreditation awarded this year was extended through 2031, effectively a six-year term after adding an additional year.

Corewell Health representatives, identified in the meeting as Mr. Coakley and Dr. Shay, discussed a donation to the district; the transcript notes the donation was discussed but does not include the amount or specific terms. Board members thanked district teams for their work on accreditation and school events.

The board approved a consent agenda that included minutes from prior meetings, expenditure reports for September and a set of personnel matters: travel authorization for LaToya Hall-King to attend the Michigan College Access Network conference (Nov. 4–5, 2025, Lansing), resignations (Harriett Brown and John Gardner) and several new hires and reassignments spanning Harper Woods elementary, middle and high schools. The motion to approve the consent agenda passed 6-0.

Superintendent McGhee also reported that the Excellence Center construction is about 70% complete. He said staff expect to be able to walk through the building in a few weeks and that a gala is planned for February during Black History Month. No public speakers addressed action items during the meeting.

The board set the superintendent evaluation for Oct. 29, 2025, at the CCI Center and adjourned at 9:01 p.m.