Hazel Park School Board Makes Million Dollar Move to Oust Superintendent
(Crystal A. Proxmire, March 17, 2026)
Hazel Park, MI – In spite of a fruitless investigation, and a room full of support for the Superintendent, the Hazel Park School Board voted 4-3 on Monday to buy out the contract of Superintendent Amy Wilcox. The move is expected to cost the district over a million dollars, not including the half a million that was spent last year for the investigation and salaries of Wilcox and the interim superintendent. Allegations of Open Meeting Acts violations also put the District at risk for additional litigation. The District will also have to conduct a search for a replacement.
School Board Members April Beaton, Nathan Becker, and Monica Rattee voted no to the termination. Board President Beverly Hinton, Vice President Deborah Laframboise, Treasurer Heidi Fortress, and Darrin Fox voted yes.
Board members were open about having discussed termination outside of Board meetings. Fox stated that he had told Superintendent Wilcox that they had four votes. And Fortress stated “It was offered to Ms. Rattee and to Ms. Beaton to meet with myself and to Ms. Hinton to hear what closed session was about, and they chose not to.”
Beaton said that she refused to meet with them because she knew it would be a violation of the Open Meetings Act. Dr. Wilcox also commented at the meeting that the admission showed that “round robin” discussions had taken place.
After taking the vote, Fox attempted to change his vote over concerns that he would be implicated in violating the OMA, but a motion to dismiss was put forth, blocking him from reconsideration of his vote.
The decision comes months after the board spent about half a million dollars placing Dr. Wilcox on paid leave, hiring an interim Superintendent, and hiring outside legal council to conduct an investigation to see if Wilcox had violated any board policies. Following the investigation, Wilcox was reinstated to her position as there was no legal basis to remove her.
Prior to the vote, 16 members of the public – including staff and union representatives – spoke in favor of keeping Dr. Wilcox in place as Superintendent. Dozens more filled the meeting room with support.
“Our district is struggling. We feel it everyday in our classrooms, in our buildings, and in our budgets,” said Jen Hall during public comment. “And in the middle of this we’re being asked to spend over $1 million, money that we don’t have, to buy out the contract of our current superintendent. And then after paying that enormous sum, we’d have to hire a new superintendent and pay a salary on top of that. This is not responsible stewardship of public funds.”
Joan Rybinski said “This conversation which happened in secrecy has left many of us feeling frustrated and unheard… This time you developed a plan behind closed doors, which is not only unethical, and a slap in the fact to our staff, to our community, it is illegal.”
Dawn Mitchell said, “Aren’t we taught as a young child, you’re going to have to work with people you many not like as an adult? You have to figure it out.”
Board Member Beaton said “I am deeply opposed both financially and legally moving forward.” And Rattee said “This is extremely sad. This is extremely pathetic… You’re still willing to ruin our district because you don’t like her.”
Board Member Becker shared concerns that it would be hard to find any Superintendent willing to work with Hazel Park School Board after the termination.
None of those who voted in favor of termination shared their reasons.
Dr. Wilcox has three years remaining on her contract. To fully buy the contract out, the cost would be approximately $996,000 including pay, benefits, retirement, and vacation days. The cost does not include any potential legal fees or potential litigation.
The Board set a date of March 25 for Dr. Wilcox’s attorney to respond to the request to negotiate.
The full Board Meeting is available on You Tube:
