Bazzi (left) and Karkaba (right).

DEARBORN — On Tuesday night, Dearborn Board of Education candidates Mariam Saad Bazzi and Ghinwah Karkaba held a fundraiser for their campaigns. 

The event took place at Byblos Banquet Hall. 

Bazzi and Karkaba are two of the 11 candidates competing for three open seats on the Board of Education. Bazzi is a Wayne County assistant prosecutor and treasurer of the Arab American Political Action Committee (AAPAC). Karkaba is the chair of Dearborn’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). 

Both candidates grew up in Dearborn and are products of Dearborn Public Schools. They each also have three children enrolled in the school system.

“I have a 10 year old, a 7 year old and a 5 year old,” Bazzi said. “So I’m not just looking to make decisions that impact today or tomorrow, but I want to make decisions that will have a lasting impact in 5 years, 10 years, and in 15 years.”

Both candidates said they’re qualified to be trustees on the board because of their knowledge and commitment to education. 

Bazzi said she decided to put her name in the race because this is an important time for the school system and community. 

“I know that every decision I am going to make is going to impact my children, my friends who are teachers in the district and the entire community,” she said. “I believe that having a strong school district is an important foundation in having a strong and successful community.”

Karkaba said she believes there needs to be more emphasis on the communication between the schools and the board. She said this will help give parents, students and teachers the resources they need to improve the schools.

“Reaching out to every individual school, understanding their challenges, working with their strengths as well, will better bridge the gap and help improve the communication between our school board, between our educators and everybody who’s invested in the district,” Karkaba said.

Bazzi stressed the importance in voting on Nov. 4. She encouraged the community to get out and exercise their right to vote and try to take at least 10 others along to vote as well. 

“I am in this race to win but I need your help,” she said.