I am writing The Lake Orion Review to support the election of Susan Flaherty to the Board of Education for Lake Orion Community Schools.

I have known Susan for over 15 years and can fully attest to her intellect, integrity, leadership skills, strategic perspective, and passion for the holistic, comprehensive education and safety of children everywhere.

As a highly educated mother, and experienced business professional, I believe she has the perspective needed to help guide Lake Orion Community Schools in the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy that will optimize outcomes for students, and establish LOCS as a “benchmark” district.

I write this from the perspective of being a former school board member of a neighboring district with similar aspirations for our students and community.

Susan has an innate concern for the safety, health and well-being of not only the students, but the teachers and administrators in the district.

Susan is a graduate of the esteemed Executive MBA Program at Michigan State University and will insist on educational excellence and meeting the needs of all students.

She is an outstanding communicator, collaborator, consensus builder, and team leader which are essential attributes in these extremely polarizing times that our state and nation are going through right now.

In closing, Susan fully understands and accepts the tremendous fiduciary responsibility that she will hold, and execute, in representing the best interests of the students, faculty, and community members of Lake Orion Community Schools.

Susan has my highest personal recommendation for this position, and I would urge your readers to take full advantage of her skills and integrity by electing Susan Flaherty to the Board of Education of Lake Orion Community Schools.

Most sincerely and respectfully,

Edward J. Ford Jr.

Retired Board of Education Trustee, 2008-2018, Bloomfield Hills School District