New trustee named, elections move to November

The Ann Arbor Board of Education has appointed Simone Lightfoot as the new trustee to replace Helen Gates-Bryant who resigned her post in November.  

Lightfoot will serve on the board through Dec. 31, 2010 due to changes made in the district’s election schedule. She was sworn in on Dec. 16 shortly after her appointment.

During the same meeting, the board also voted to move traditional school elections from May to November, a change that is expected to save the school district $150,000 over two years. Voters will next go to the polls to elect board members in November 2010, when seats held by Lightfoot, Susan Baskett and Deb Mexicotte will be open.  The deadline for filing for one of the board seats is Aug. 10, 2010.

Lightfoot has been a resident of Ann Arbor for more than 20 years and is a 1985 graduate of Huron High School.  She is the parent of two and an active volunteer in the district.  She is a decorated soldier and was nominated among the top 10 airman of the U.S. Air Force.  Once returning from her military service, she became an entrepreneur and was named Minority Business Owner of the Year in 1995.  

She has served as deputy chief of staff in the Michigan House of Representatives and has also served on the Ann Arbor Community Development Corporation Micro Loan Committee, the Washtenaw County Sheriff Community Relations Advisory Board, the Washtenaw County Neighborhood Advisory Council and served as vice chairwoman for Pfizer pharmaceuticals board for Senior Citizens for Prescription Drug Fairness.  

Most recently, she was a volunteer on the Ann Arbor Citizens Millage Committee.

The AAPS District News welcomes thoughtful comments, questions and feedback.

All comments will be screened and moderated.

In order for your comment to be approved:

  • You must use your full name
  • You must not use  profane or offensive language
  • Your comment must be on topic and relevant to the story

Please note: any comment that appears to be spam or attacks an individual will not be approved.