District bids farewell to `consummate communicator’ Liz Margolis

 After 12 years as executive director of communications. Liz Margolis will leave the Ann Arbor Public Schools this week for a new position with NSF International.Dozens of well-wishers, including her husband, three sons, parents and in-laws, attended a sometimes tearful farewell reception for Margolis late Thursday afternoon.
Several people applauded Margolis for her ability to remain calm in tough situations, to handle whatever comes her way with finesse, and to recognize and address sensitive issues before they became larger problems.
Superintendent Jeanice Swift called Margolis the “consummate communicator and calmer of controversy.”

“Her winter days often extended late into the night, and began long before dawn,” said Swift, noting that Margolis has been “the voice of the snow day.“ “And I know that she won’t miss those 4 a.m. phone calls.”

She said Margolis was an expert on topics ranging from busses, boundaries, and budgets, to immunizations, elections, and advertising.

“Liz ran in to resolve problems in situations where most individuals might naturally shrink away,” Swift said.

School Board President Deb Mexicotte said Margolis was always prepared for anything trustees had to say.

“We’ll never be able to replace her,” she said.

Ann Arbor Police Chief John Seto said Margolis wore so many hats “she would have been a great cop.”

After several others lauded her grace under fire, compassion for those who are hurting, and ability to write about any topic in record time, Margolis said it was her honor to serve the students of AAPS, and that she heartily believes in the district.

“It’s been an exhausting 12 years,” she said, “but a really, really rewarding 12 years.”

 

 

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1 Comment

  1. I am grateful to Liz for the fine job she has done through the years. Her voice has remained steady despite many changes, crises, and celebrations of success. I am also proud to know her as a terrific parent to boys I was lucky to have as students in my classroom. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors. I hope her new job is fun and relatively stress-free!

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