[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8256-8257]
[From the U.S. 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

[[Page 8257]]

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.

                          ____________________