DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Local resident Nadia Berry has announced her bid for the Crestwood School board election, taking place on Tuesday, November 8.

She is vying for one of two open six-year seats on the seven-member body.

Berry told The AANews that she’s been closely involved with the school district for many years, as her two children had attended elementary, middle and high school within the district. 

Berry’s daughter recently graduated from Crestwood High School, while her son just began his sophomore year there.

“Our most important commodity nowadays is our children,” Berry said. “The community’s children deserve the best. It’s wonderful that we have successful children, but not all of them are successful. We need to see them as a whole and bridge that gap.”

Berry hopes her inclusion into the school board will prompt local parents to be involved.

She has been attending school board meetings for more than a decade and points out a lack of participation from local parents. She encourages them to attend and voice their concerns, as she has been doing.

“The parents are involved, but they need to be at the buildings,” Berry said. “They need to attend board meetings. They need to see what is going on in their buildings and what decisions are being made. There are things that happen that parents probably aren’t aware of.” 

As a parent at Crestwood, Berry said that one of her major concerns is that many families within the city are moving or relocating their children to other districts. 

“We are losing a lot of the younger families,” she said. “We need to increase our enrollment and find a way to compete on a global level. Education is key in our American life.”

Berry has also closely worked with Dearborn Public Schools as a liaison, routinely interacting with staff, students and the community.

As a Crestwood School Board trustee, Berry promises an open line of communication with parents and students. 

“We really need to be receptive as board members and listen to what the parents and community has to say,” Berry said. “It’s important to be responsive. You have to be transparent; there has to be trust and there has to be leadership. You have to be the voice of the community.”

If Berry were elected to the school board, she would become the first Arab American trustee at Crestwood.

However, she would not be the first Berry elected into a position with the city. Councilman Tom Berry has served in Dearborn Heights since 2006. Nadia Berry is his sister-in-law.  

Since announcing her run, Berry said she’s received overwhelming support from local parents. A fundraiser for Berry is scheduled for Wednesday, September 7 at the restaurant The Lava Lounge Too, from 6-8:00 p.m. 

“I’m humbled by everybody’s outreach to me,” Berry said. “I’m overwhelmed with the positive messages and the support. The community knows that we all need a voice and I want to be a voice for the voiceless.”

Berry will be competing against incumbents Ed Garcia and James Taylor, along with newcomer Pat Helton. 

Berry can be reached at Berry4Schoolboard@gmail.com.