Southfield superintendent touts accelerated bond work, safety upgrades and $28M in grants at State of the District

Dr. Jennifer Martin Green, superintendent of Southfield Public Schools, outlined progress and upcoming projects in the district’s State of the District address, highlighting accelerated bond-funded renovations, expanded safety measures, academic gains and community partnerships.

Green said the district has accelerated the 2022 capital improvement bond from a 10‑year plan to an eight‑year timeline through strategic planning with construction partners, allowing students to benefit from modernized facilities sooner. She listed completed projects and near‑term milestones: Adler Elementary finished renovations in 2024; Stevenson Elementary was completed in 2025; and the district expects to complete major renovations at Boerne K–8 School, Levy Middle School and Thompson K–8 International Academy by the 2025–26 academic year. These projects include secure vestibules, HVAC and environmental upgrades, modernized classrooms, technology infrastructure and ADA accessibility improvements.

"Five schools, five modernized learning environments," Green said, describing the work as part of a long‑term investment in students.

Green emphasized safety as a central priority, describing a layered approach that includes school resource officers, contracted security professionals, upgraded surveillance systems, bond‑funded secure vestibules and districtwide threat assessment teams made up of administrators, counselors, mental‑health staff and security personnel. She also said the district introduced metal detectors at Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology as a preventive, targeted measure at high‑traffic entrances and events. "Our goal is not to create a fortress," Green said, "our goal is to create confidence—for our parents, our teachers, and our scholars."

On academics, Green noted the board of education recently approved three new Advanced Placement courses—AP Cybersecurity, AP Seminar (English 10) and AP Business and Personal Finance—to expand college‑level learning options. She also highlighted that University High School Academy earned the College Board’s AP Platinum recognition for the second consecutive year and that measurable reading progress has been made: individualized reading improvement plans decreased by 15.8% since fall 2025.

Green described expanded teacher professional development and named district participation in multiple cohorts and leadership networks aimed at math, science, literacy and culturally responsive instruction. She announced a district‑hosted ‘‘layered literacy lab’’ for Oakland County and said nine teachers will attend a technology conference to help develop district AI protocols.

Career and technical education featured in Green’s remarks. Aries Robinson, introduced as the district’s new director of Career Focused Education, described efforts to provide students with career exploration. Student speakers described their experiences: Amani Adaway, a senior at Southfield A & T, said a CTE global health and human anatomy course helped her prepare for pediatric nursing; Andrew Mitchell said his Fire Academy training led him toward work as a medical first responder.

Green highlighted partnerships addressing students’ out‑of‑school needs, including a community health worker initiative with Oakland County and the Balmer Group (Southfield is one of two districts in the state selected) and a food distribution partnership with Forgotten Harvest. She said community health workers will connect families to health care, mental‑health services, housing assistance and food access programs to reduce barriers to learning.

On finance, Green said an independent audit by Plante Moran produced an unmodified opinion and that the district maintains a fund balance above the board policy threshold of 10%, ensuring fiscal stability. She added the district has secured more than $28,000,000 in grant funding to support academic programming and student services.

Looking ahead, Green announced transformational work at Southfield High School for the Arts and Technology—including upgraded performance and visual arts spaces, collaborative learning spaces, STEM labs, enhanced safety systems and energy‑efficient design. She said the district will honor the current building with a final farewell event on 03/28/2026 and plans to break ground in July 2026. University K–12 Academy will be transformed and McIntyre Elementary School will be repurposed as a community center, with a legacy celebration scheduled for 03/26/2026.

The address closed with Green thanking district leadership, educators, families and community partners for their support.