By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — Youssef Mosallam will officially begin his first day as Crestwood School District superintendent Oct. 22 after a four-year contract was approved by the board.
During a special meeting Oct. 16, the board unanimously voted to approve the contract that expires at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Board President Donna Ancinec said Mosallam agreed to the last contract that was presented to him and that he has already been in the schools interacting with staff and students.
On Oct. 10 Mosallam wrote that he was overwhelmed with emotions as he went through all the posts on social media from people looking forward to the district’s future.
“Throughout my entire life in the Dearborn and Dearborn Heights communities I have been blessed to have great friends and mentors who have all become family,” his Facebook post read. “As we move forward in this journey together I ask for your continued guidance, spirit of excellence, and most importantly, patience.”
Mosallam was chosen Oct. 9 during a board meeting over finalist Roseville High School Principal Patrick Adams.
“We are geared to work as one to take the Crestwood community and all those around us to the greatest of heights,” Mosallam’s post read. “I look forward to this humble opportunity and for the many more wonderful people that will become part of my family.”
Mosallam served as DPS Community Partnerships, Career and College Readiness Achievement executive director and as the DPS executive director of Student Achievement from 2015 to 2018.
He has a bachelor’s in education from Wayne State University, a master’s in public administration from University of Michigan-Dearborn, education specialist certification from WSU, and a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from WSU, according to his resume.
Crestwood’s search began in July for a new superintendent when former Supt. Laurine VanValkenburg retired.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])