School Board Chooses Joseph Bedford to Fill Vacancy

Joseph Bedford was appointed to the Clawson School Board on Monday evening.

Bedford, who formerly served on the city Planning Commission and several other boards, fills the vacancy left when board member  resigned in August because she moved out of Clawson. 

The school board voted 4-2 for Bedford as its first choice after an hourlong interview process in which three candidates answered a series of questions. Bedford and his opponents, Jessica Back and Christopher Profeta, also had to give introductory speeches.

"I'm pretty excited," Bedford said after he was appointed. "I want to give back. I feel I like I can add value."

Bedford, 43, has been a Clawson resident for more than a decade, he said, and has three children, two daughters who attend and a son who previously attended l. In addition to the Planning Commission, he served on the Parks & Recreation and Zoning boards, was treasurer of the Mavericks youth football/cheerleading team and president of Clawson Junior Baseball. 

Board members said during the interview process that Bedford's leadership background in the community stood out to them.

Bedford, an accountant at Ford Motor Co., said he'd like help the district become more transparent. "It's good now, but if I can make it better, I'm going to," Bedford said.

New Leadership

The Clawson School Board approved the hiring of a new athletic director/assistant principal for and three new teachers at its meeting of the school year Monday evening.

Adam Schihl, current principal of Hillsdale High School in Hillsdale, MI, will replace Bill Shellenbarger who served as the interim athletic director/assistant principal for one year. The district said Shellenbarger left this year for family-related reasons.

The new Kenwood teachers are Catherine Seago, fourth and fifth grade, Danielle Johnston, second and third grade, and Jenna Krinski, who will work with the autism program. The three teachers' first day of work was the same as the first day of school for students.

Schihl said he hopes to start at Clawson High School as soon as possible. As a former assistant principal and athletic director in Harper Woods, Schihl said the job opportunity is a perfect fit. He also wants to be closer to family in Macomb County.

“I knew that I could do that job and do it at a high level and be successful,” Schihl said.  

 Schihl said he hopes to focus on preparing students for college and the work world and making sure “teachers are in positions to succeed.”

Correction: Joseph Bedford three children, two at Clawson Middle School and one who attended Clawson High School.