[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 80 (Thursday, May 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E928-E929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ON THE OCCASION OF SUPERINTENDENT DR. JOANN ANDREES' RETIREMENT FROM 
                THE WEST BLOOMFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend, Dr. JoAnn 
Andrees, as she retires from her position as Superintendent of the West 
Bloomfield Public School System (WBPS), which she has held since 2008.
  Dr. Andrees' tenure in primary and secondary public education 
exemplifies the passion and commitment of a true public servant. 
Throughout her time at WBPS, Dr. Andrees has held many different roles 
in the system from being a special education teacher to Assistant 
Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. She has also served as a 
guidance counselor, Assistant Principal at West Bloomfield High School 
(WBHS) and Principal of Abbott Middle School and WBHS. With a career 
that spans so many perspectives within public education, Dr. Andrees 
has developed a dynamic and unique perspective that has given her the 
insight needed to design and implement many programs that have 
benefited not only the youth of West Bloomfield but also the broader 
community.
  With her knowledge and leadership, Dr. Andrees has overseen the 
creation of a number of programs within WBPS. One such program that she 
created while she was Assistant Superintendent was a strategic plan 
aligning the curriculum of all schools within the WBPS system. Dr. 
Andrees also used her background in special education to create the 
Oakland Opportunity Academy, an adult postsecondary education program 
for individuals with special needs. With an eye toward providing all 
WBPS students with the environment to excel, she supported programs 
which have helped minority students close the education gap. 
Additionally, through partnerships she helped to forge with Ford Motor 
Company and Henry Ford Health Systems, the students of

[[Page E929]]

WBPS have been provided greater academic opportunities in the fields of 
robotics and health sciences.
  The results of Dr. Andrees' leadership speak for themselves. At a 
time of unprecedented uncertainly in our communities, she has guided 
WBPS to a deficit-free budget while leading the district's 800 
employees. Furthermore, she has gone beyond good stewardship of WBPS 
and directly engaged with the West Bloomfield community to lead in the 
passage of a bond initiative to enhance WBPS' facilities and 
technology. During her tenure as Principal of Abbott Middle School, the 
school was recognized with a National Blue Ribbon of Excellence, the 
highest honor which can be bestowed for exceptional leadership in 
education. Dr. Andrees has received many other community awards 
including the 2012 MASA Winner's Circle Award, the 2012 Michigan Week 
Dr. Seymour Gretchko Youth Advocate Award and the 2012 Greater West 
Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce Community Excellence Award in Education.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. JoAnn Andrees has not only been a leader for quality 
public education in West Bloomfield; she has been its staunchest 
advocate and in doing so, has worked with other area leaders to build a 
thriving community. I admire her commitment to the virtues of public 
service and I know that her leadership will be fondly remembered by the 
thousands of students, families, teachers and staff have benefitted 
from her work in WBPS and the broader community.

                          ____________________