Park Resident to Fill Grosse Pointe School Board Vacancy

Brian C. Summerfield will begin reviewing material from the Grosse Pointe Public School System today as the school board's newest member. 

Summerfield was one of 22 residents within the district to apply to fill the vacant seat created by the immediate resignation of Brendan Walsh in late March. Summerfield was one of 19 interviewed Tuesday night in a group session.

The Grosse Pointe Public School Board voted unanimously Wednesday night to appoint Summerfield to fill the vacancy. Their decision came nearly two hours after a special meeting began with the specific purpose of making a decision. 

The board did not have a formal process in place and had to work through how to handle it Wednesday before discussion about the actual candidates started. 

To begin, board president Joan Dindoffer asked each of the board members to name the candidates they felt were the top contenders following their interviews Tuesday. Their lists narrowed the pool of candidates to 12. 

Among the lists of names, there were repeats. The board decided to discuss any person who had been listed by three or more of the board members. 

Summerfield was the list of five board members. Then only board member who did not list him initially was Cindy Pangborn. Ultimately she did vote for him after he was nominated for the appointment.

In addition to Summerfield, the group also considered: 

• Allison Baker 
• Kimberly Clexton
• Christopher Cornwall
• Anne Marie Harris
• William Shield
• Chace Wakefield

Board member Tom Jakubiec said Summerfield is somone who could work well with all of the board members. Board member Judy Gafa echoed similar thoughts, describing Summerfield as a non-polarizing person complimenting his ability to bring people together in a nice manner. 

The board also liked that he has young children, which is a perspective that is not currently represented on the board as most of the members have children in the middle and/or high school level or beyond.

"I feel very honored," Summerfield said Wednesday night. "I feel very lucky. I am hoping I can do a great job for the Grosse Pointe Schools."

Summerfield said he doesn't have any specific agenda in serving on the board but explained much of what he's anxious to work on are the problems and challenges already confronting the board. 

He is an attorney with Bodman PLC in Detroit with a heavy focus on commercial litigation. He moved to Grosse Pointe Park six years ago with his wife, Emily. They have three children: Rachel, Eilliot and Cassandra.

After being selected, Summerfield said he talked with Superintendent Tom Harwood and Assistant Superintendent Jon Dean. He will start receiving information for review today in order to get himself caught up on current issues with the board.

Summerfield was complimentary of the other candidates.

He has attended meetings in the past and he has addressed the board for several years regarding his support for the multi-age program at Trombly Elementary. Last year, he served on a committee tasked with creating marketing for the program.