[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 72 (Thursday, May 13, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING DR. STEVE GAYNOR'S DECADES OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AS A 
                          LEADER IN EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 13, 2010

  Mr. PETERS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Steven 
Gaynor, the distinguished Superintendent of the Bloomfield Hills School 
District, on the occasion of his retirement after nearly 35 years of 
service to countless families and children of Southeast Michigan 
through his work as an educator, administrator and leader.
  Almost 35 years ago, Dr. Gaynor embarked upon a career in education 
that would span the geography of Southeast Michigan and the broad 
breadth of service in education. Steve began his career in 1975 as a 
social studies teacher and special education teacher consultant. He 
served the communities of Livonia, Madison Heights, Walled Lake, 
Davisburg, Holly and Royal Oak before becoming the superintendent of 
Bloomfield Schools where, for the past 8 years, he has served the 
families and community of Bloomfield Hills.
  Steve's tenure at Bloomfield Hills Schools was during a most 
tumultuous and challenging time for public education. Despite dwindling 
state and local revenue sources and the severe economic downturn in 
Southeast Michigan, Steve made the best of shrinking resources and 
pressed forward with important and innovative projects. Steve's vision 
and dedication led to the creation of multiple International 
Baccalaureate programs, an increased use of innovative technology in 
the classroom, improved professional development for teachers and 
administrators, and overall academic achievement by putting students 
first. He has been recognized for his unwavering focus on securing the 
future of the schools with boundless energy, good humor and strong 
leadership.
  Through these busy years, Steve remained active in key community 
organizations including the Oakland County Superintendents' 
Association, the North Central Association state committee, where he 
received an award for instructional leadership and school improvement, 
and as a founding member of the Learning Achievement Coalition, a 
project focused on eliminating achievement gaps among children. 
Moreover,. he pioneered important partnerships including one with the 
municipalities of Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township to preserve 
historical assets. With other Oakland Schools and the Oakland 
Intermediate School District, Steve pooled funds to rebuild Wing Lake 
Development Center to a $10 million state-of-the-art educational 
facility for our most challenged students in Oakland County.
  Madam Speaker, as parents of Bloomfield Hills Schools students, my 
wife Colleen and I are pleased to call Steve a much admired and 
appreciated friend. Undoubtedly, we join the scores of children and 
families whose lives have been touched by Steve's hard work, dedication 
and caring. I ask my colleagues to join me today as I honor Dr. Steve 
Gaynor for his lifetime commitment to bettering the lives of children 
through education, on the occasion of his retirement from Bloomfield 
Hills Schools.

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