Darany presented Shoelles a certificate from the the state.

DEARBORN — Dearborn Public Schools officials bid farewell to Board of Education President Aimee Schoelles during a gathering on Monday, July 13 at the Administrative building.

Schoelles resigned from her position this month after accepting a new job in Ohio, requiring her to move her residency out of Dearborn.

Community members, as well as Schoelles’ family and friends, turned out to the reception to reflect on her 15 years as a community activist in the city. 

“I didn’t see the impact I made until people started telling me things; it makes me feel good and sad at the same time,” Schoelles told The Arab American News during the event. “I’ve had such  tremendous support from the community and it’s so humbling to know that they trusted me with their kids. I’m so eternally grateful that they had so much faith to allow me to serve on the board.” 

Schoelles’ involvement with the district dates back to the late 90s when she was a concerned parent attending school board meetings. There, she built bridges with residents from the east end of the city who felt that their voice needed to be heard. 

Former Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) President Abed Hammoud recalls Schoelles being a leader in erasing the divide between west end parents and east end parents.

“The positive impact she had in our schools is much bigger than can be put in words,” Hammoud said. “She took the leadership on many difficult issues and never shied away from the tough decisions regardless of whether or not there was a political price to pay. She did it for the benefit of the kids of Dearborn.”

In 1999, Schoelles began her stint as an active member of AAPAC, at one point serving as treasurer of the organization. In 2000, she made a decision to run for the schoolboard. Many Arab American parents felt that their concerns were being overlooked by the district and Schoelles sought to change that. 

In a district that serves an 80 percent Arab American student base, she aimed to tackle initiatives and measures that were of concern to the community.

Her campaign was successful in 2000, beating an incumbent who was seeking another term.  She followed that with successful re-elections in 2004, 2008 and 2012, where she was the highest vote-getter in each race. 

As a board member, Schoelles worked with four superintendents, three college presidents and 14 trustees.

She played an instrumental role in making progressive change throughout the district, including advocating for a bond in 2002 that expanded the buildings of schools in east Dearborn due to overcrowding. The approval of the bond also allowed the district to build additional schools that would end up catering to thousands of students. 

Schoelles also led a motion to name two school buildings after prominent Arab Americans Don Unis and Michael Berry.

Board Trustee and former AAPAC President Mariam Bazzi said that she watched Schoelles advocate on behalf of the community for many years, despite only being able to serve on the board with her for a few months.

“I think she served in her capacity as trustee with honor and with integrity. I know that she represented this entire community very well,” Bazzi said. “I think particularly for Arab Americans, she advanced causes and issues that were important. She had an integral role in bringing light to those things. What she has done for the entire Dearborn community is really worthy of honor and acknowledgment.”

While the community was under scrutiny in the post 9/11 era, Schoelles took steps to combat negative stereotypes. She petitioned to get a film documentary shot at Fordson High School, titled “Fordson: Faith, Fasting, Football”, approved by the district, despite the obstacles the city threw at the filmmakers. 

That film went on to be critically praised due to its showcasing of Arab Americans in a positive light. 

Community photographer Bill Chapman, Schoelles’ father-in-law, said that she was responsible for opening his eyes to the Dearborn community. Chapman has developed a passion for capturing the community’s finest moments, all in part to Schoelles’ involvement with the city. 

“I know many times she’s had to go to meetings and make some really tough decisions,” Chapman said. “She’s fought for a lot of equality in Dearborn, for all the different students at the schools. She’s done quite a lot and she’s spent a lot of time on the school board.”

Henry Ford College President Stan Jensen, former Dearborn Superintendent Brian Whiston and former and current board trustees also attended the event. 

State Rep. George Darany (D- Dearborn) presented Schoelles with a tribute from the state, recognizing her efforts in Dearborn. 

“This is a sad day for the Dearborn community and the Dearborn school system,” Darany said. “The city of Dearborn is going to miss your compassion, dedication and also your ability to try to keep politics out of the schools, because that’s not easy.” 

With Schoelles’ exit, the board has begun taking steps to fill her seat. Schoelles noted that she’s leaving the district in a good place and is confident the current board will find a qualified candidate to fill her position, as well as to continue move Dearborn’s schools in the right direction.

“I think that we worked really hard, especially over the last five or six years,” Schoelles said. “I think they have a big decision to make in regards to my replacement. But they are in a good place and they know what they need to do. I know they will be fine.”