Clawson

Grossmann selected to fill CPS board vacancy

By Chris Jackett
C & G Staff Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Linda Grossmann was appointed to the Clawson Public Schools’ Board of Education last week after a 12-year hiatus. Grossmann said she will have plenty of time to dedicate to the board after retiring in March 2013. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Linda Grossmann was appointed to the Clawson Public Schools’ Board of Education last week after a 12-year hiatus. Grossmann said she will have plenty of time to dedicate to the board after retiring in March 2013.

CLAWSON — The Clawson Public Schools’ Board of Education recently selected Linda Grossmann as its newest member.

A former board member from 1997-2000, Grossmann, 65, is a bankruptcy court case administrator. During a trio of public interviews Jan. 21 with the Board of Education, Grossmann was appointed from a pool of three candidates to fill the seat vacated by Brad Batur.

“All are good candidates to be a good board member. It was very hard to decide,” board President Kevin Turner said. “It was real close. Every candidate, we liked various parts of their experience or background.”

The other two candidates were Schalm Elementary parent Brady DiAntonio, who was a write-in candidate in November, and Steve McDiarmid, whose child is still a toddler.

In addition to being a former board member, Grossmann is also a former Kenwood Elementary Parent Teacher Association president from the 1980s. She had three daughters grow up in Clawson schools, with each graduating between 1995 and 2002.

“The piece that pushed Linda over was that she had experience from a few years ago,” Turner said. “She’s been around for a long time. She knows the teachers. She’s well-known and respected in the community.”

Grossmann said her upcoming retirement would give her more time to dedicate to the school board. She considered running as a write-in candidate in November 2012, but decided to do so after the deadline had passed.

“There was an opening. I always enjoyed being on the board,” Grossmann said. “I’m retiring at the end of March and figured I’d have a lot of time to dedicate.”

After graduating from Redford Union High School in 1966, Grossman ended up settling down in Clawson, where she’s lived for the past 33 years. Her ex-husband had grown up in the district.

“I’m enthusiastic and ready to get going,” Grossmann said. “I know they’re putting in some new evaluation programs that I’m really interested in. I’d like to see MEAP scores go up. I just want everyone to be happy.”

Since she was appointed to the position, Grossmann’s term will last through Dec. 31, 2014. The final two years of the term, which would end Dec. 31, 2016, will be up for grabs on the November 2014 election ballot.

During her first stint with the board, Grossmann helped the district navigate through teacher contracts, renovations, hiring former Superintendent Jim Pinsoneault,  and she was responsible for the current process of getting board members certified. Current Superintendent Monique Beels said Grossmann will have her work cut out for her in this term, as negotiations for five contracts are expected this year, as well as a sinking fund discussion.

“We’re excited,” Beels said. “She’s very excited to be on our board and we’re going to hit the ground running.”

The board will next meet at 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at 626 Phillips Ave.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Chris Jackett at cjackett@candgnews.com or at (586)279-1110.