DRAFT D.

02
As of 10-17-18
Statement from Jim Stark
@ 5PM EDT

I began my term in public service to the Farmington Hills Schools in 2016 because I believe
deeply in the mission of educating our children. It has been my position that there is no more
important job a community can perform than assuring the safety and quality education for all its
young residents. I also believe that as stewards of this vital responsibility, school board
members should hold themselves to the highest standard of ethics and morals - both to serve
the electorate who voted for them and as an example to the students we serve.

The Michigan Association of School Boards sets clear standards for behavior by board
members and, having completed their intensive certification curriculum, I have strived to
maintain or exceed these standards in all my board work. I love this school district, and both of
my daughters have enjoyed wonderful educational experiences. I made a commitment to the
position of board trustee to support the inspiring leadership of Superintendent Dr. George
Heitsch as well as give back to the district and its students on behalf of me and my family.

The recent behavior of some of the Farmington Hills School board members not only failed to
live up to these standards, but I believe, borders on the actionable. These actions have resulted
in considerable damage to the reputation of the district, and ultimately harms those who we
have pledged to protect - the students. The current negative political climate in the district made
it impossible for me to execute my duties and vision for the district as well as diminished my
ability to help support Dr. Heitsch in his leadership role.

These actions have also adversely affected the sterling reputations of Dr. Heitsch and Harrison
High School Principal Dr. James Anderson – both of whom strictly adhered to district policy in
investigating and acting on the homecoming situation. In good conscience, I decided could no
longer be associated with this type of behavior and made the difficult decision to resign my
position as a member of the Farmington Public Schools Board of Education

In addition, these board members also led what amounted to a “palace coup” by threatening to
remove me as president unless I agreed to resign my position – ostensibly for my support of Dr.
Heitsch. In order not to make the issue about my role as president, but to focus on the actual
harm being done to our school system by these board members, I removed myself from the
situation. They have also publicly led a campaign to force the resignation of Dr. Heitsch - even
though as recently as last June he was given extremely high marks in his annual board
evaluation, which was publicly supported by these board members.

I will greatly miss my role of serving the community and serving the students as I cherished my
seat on the school board. It has always been my intention to work in collaborative and
constructive ways that result in solutions that benefit the Farmington Public Schools, our student
and our communities. That continues to be my focus and mission.

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