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Candidate describes multi‑month engagement process used to manage a contentious school name change
Summary
When asked how he would lead in a divided community, Sean Lively recounted three community engagement sessions, surveys and small‑group meetings used in a Detroit name‑change process to surface views, involve stakeholders and select a new school name while preserving colors/mascot.
During questioning about decision making in divided communities, Sean Lively described a multi‑month process he led during a previous role when a high school’s name was changed. He said the approach included multiple community engagement sessions, anonymous surveys and one‑on‑one conversations to ensure stakeholders were heard and to involve them in selecting a replacement name.
"We had 3 different community engagement sessions... and we also did anonymous surveys, so they could give us feedback," Lively said, describing how officials retained school colors and mascot traditions while changing the formal name. He said the process helped stakeholders accept the outcome because they had participated in choosing the new name.
Lively framed that approach as a template for Clintondale, stressing transparent outreach, listening and involving students, parents, staff and community partners in decisions that may provoke strong opinions.
