Dearborn Schools Narrows Superintendent Search To 3 Candidates: Here They Are

DEARBORN, MI — Dearborn school officials selected three finalists for the superintendent position during a Saturday board meeting.

They are Thomas Ahart (former Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Iowa), Mike Esseily (Executive Director of Special Populations, Dearborn Public Schools) and Moussa Hamka (Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Grosse Pointe Public Schools).

Esseily or Hamka would be the first permanent Arab American to lead the district. Interim Superintendent Lamis Srour is Arab American but has said she didn't want the permanent job.

The finalists are scheduled to visit the district on Wednesday to see schools, meet key stakeholders and learn more about the Dearborn Public Schools community.

Parents, residents and others can meet the candidates for a formal meet and greet on Wednesday from 7:20 to 8:45 p.m. at the Administrative Service Center, located at 18700 Audette St.

The finalists will then interview with school board members at 6 p.m. on Thursday. The interviews will be shown live on the district’s YouTube Channel.

Schools have a special meeting set for May 4 at 6 p.m. to name their pick for the next superintendent.

School officials conducted six initial interviews from April 14 to 16. Those interviews are now available for public viewing on the district's YouTube Channel.

Former Superintendent Glenn Maleyko announced last fall that he was leaving the district after being hired to be the next State Superintendent in Michigan overseeing the Michigan Department of Education.