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Parents and staff urge board to investigate candidate Alex Ofili, say staff are fearful
Summary
During public comment, multiple speakers urged the Wayne-Westland board not to advance Dr. Alex Ofili, alleging union grievances, a culture of fear and retaliation, and calling for investigations; board members said the interviews will be posted with QR codes for public feedback but still advanced Ofili to the finalist stage.
Several community members and staff addressed the Wayne-Westland board during public comment, urging further scrutiny of Dr. Alex Ofili and asking for broader stakeholder input ahead of the second-round interviews.
At the start of public comment, a community speaker identified as Ms. Owens told the board she had received numerous messages from staff and families saying they had “lost complete faith” in the board and detailed multiple grievances she said were filed against Dr. Ofili. She told the board that staff fear retaliation for speaking out and urged the board to investigate his department and leadership record before advancing him further in the search. "He has had multiple grievances filed against him with the union... He has created a work environment full of fear of retaliation or job loss," she said.
Gwen Fittenborough, speaking as a teacher, highlighted scheduling conflicts that will keep staff from attending some stakeholder sessions (for example, Tuesday staff meetings and PLCs), and asked the board to consider those constraints when scheduling Q&A blocks. A representative of the building administrators asked whether the QR-feedback system and posted interviews could be opened so administrators and staff who cannot attend in person could view the finalist interviews and submit feedback.
Board members responded that the second-round interviews and stakeholder sessions are intended to be posted and accessible; MLI said recorded finalist interviews would be posted with a QR code so those not present could watch and submit feedback. Several board members defended the selection process and asked constituents to submit written questions and feedback; board leaders also said they had reviewed stakeholder comments already submitted and were open to receiving additional questions for the interview packet.
The board nonetheless advanced Dr. Ofili alongside Dr. Kost and Ma'Shawn Jackson to second-round interviews. Several board members emphasized the need to hear candidates’ answers in the second round and said those recordings and the QR feedback will factor into the final decision to be made after spring break.
