By April Lehmbeck
C & G Staff Writer

EASTPOINTE — The East Detroit Board of Education chose high school Principal Paul Szymanski as the new superintendent by a slim margin March 4 and made a second decision that leaves acting Superintendent Lois Johnson out of a job in the district.

Lois Johnson can’t go back to serving as assistant superintendent when Szymanski takes over as superintendent at the end of June because the board axed the assistant superintendent position from the district’s payroll.

Johnson has been doing both her former duties as assistant superintendent and the superintendent’s duties since the board let former Superintendent Bruce Kefgen go amid financial struggles in the district late last year,

“I’m very sorry to see that after these many years of service that you’ll be leaving us in June,” said Board Treasurer Margaret Podsiadlik, who was the sole vote against cutting Johnson’s position. “That saddens me.”

Szymanski was chosen by a 4-3 vote. At an earlier meeting, the board ended up in a deadlock with multiple motions, but none passed or got enough support. There were motions for Szymanski and for Johnson at the previous meeting.

The district has also discussed looking at going out of the district to seek a new superintendent.

“We can’t just leave this issue up in the air forever,” Board Trustee Jon Gruenberg said.

Board Trustee Craig Wodecki made the motion to appoint Szymanski, but the district will need to work on contract negotiations for that post.

“I think we have three very good candidates that interviewed that are in tune with the district … that will hit the ground running,” Wodecki said.

No one seemed to have an issue with Szymanski, but they had other plans in mind for the superintendent post. Board Trustee Matt Vroman was concerned about the succession plan for bringing on a new high school principal, saying that the district doesn’t have one.

There were also comments about what a great principal Szymanski is and how the post of high school principal is important. 

Board Vice President Carol Corrie said she listened to the community when she said they were saying they wanted someone in-house for the superintendent post.

“I felt that was something we had to listen to,” Corrie said. “This has been a hard decision to make, one of the hardest ones I’ve made so far.”

Gruenberg said he still wanted to look outside the district.

School board members also expressed that the decision wasn’t due to any failings of Johnson.

“I respect you,” Board Secretary Paul Seibert said. “I thank you for what you have done, and you’ve done a good job as acting superintendent.”

Lincoln Stocks, president of the teacher’s union in the district, said he was sad at the decision regarding Johnson’s position.

“It is with deep regret that I acknowledge your decision to not renew the contract of Dr. Johnson,” he said.

“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to work with her,” he said, adding that she has helped him over the years.

Besides voting not to renew the contract for the assistant superintendent post, the board voted unanimously not to renew contracts for the supervisor of children’s services and the director of food services.

Eliminating these positions is part of the district’s deficit elimination plan.

“The resolutions for consideration tonight were not about the persons (in those positions),” Board President Jeff Allen said. “Those were part of our deficit elimination. We are in a massive hole.”

Despite the need to make these decisions, board members said these are the kinds of tough decisions they have to make in this financial situation.

“It’s very difficult, but it’s something that we have to do,” Seibert said.

“It’s hard to see people lose their jobs,” Corrie said. “It’s really hard.”

You can reach Staff Writer April Lehmbeck at alehmbeck@candgnews.com or at (586) 498-1043.