Ian McCain selected as new Eastpointe school board member

EASTPOINTE — Many in the community know Ian McCain as Eastpointe’s economic development manager, for his volunteer work with the city’s community garden, as a Recreation Authority of Roseville & Eastpointe board member and more.

Now, he will serve in another capacity: Eastpointe Community Schools Board of Education member.

During a special meeting held the afternoon of Jan. 30 at the district’s administration building, the school board voted 6-0 to appoint McCain to an open seat on the board. He will fill the vacancy left when Trustee Cassie Gruenberg resigned her position Jan. 13 due to health reasons. McCain was appointed to finish her remaining four-year term, which expires on Dec. 31, 2026.

“When we read his letter of intent, he had all the qualifications we were looking for,” school board President Chineva Early said. “He has been very involved in the school district since he’s been here. He’s committed to our district. You can’t understand what’s happening if you’re not here.”

Although McCain works for the city, Early and McCain said his role on the school board is not a conflict of interest.

“The municipality is totally different from the school district,” Early said.

“It’s a separate entity,” McCain said.

McCain will take the oath of office at the district’s next school board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10 at Eastpointe City Hall, 23200 Gratiot Ave. McCain, a 2011 Lake Shore High School graduate, said he’s always been interested in serving in public office.

During the interview process, the school board members asked 10 questions, plus a bonus question. Topics centered on various issues, including what the candidates would do to help pass millage increases and renewals, what would make them more effective as a board member, and what changes they would like to see in the district and their roles in such changes.

During his interview, McCain said he will focus on partnerships and community building if selected to serve.

“Community building really is at the core of everything that I do both in my personal and professional life. How can we bring people together to improve the community, to improve the institutions like the public education system that are so important to the lifeblood of our society, of our economy,” he said. “From a partnership perspective, I’d really like to see us build additional partnerships as a district to improve different things such as current education offerings, offering more Advanced Placement courses as well as potentially offer some foreign exchange programs.”

In his letter of intent, McCain also said he would like to add career and technical education offerings. His letter also highlighted his commitment to the ECS facilities master plan process in which he got to know the district’s students, staff and board members.

“It is clear there are no shortage of challenges in public education today. This means everyone, from students to parents, teachers and administrators, as well as board members and taxpayers must play an active role in preserving and adapting one of our most sacred institutions,” he said in his letter. “Public education must move beyond antiquated Industrial Revolution-era workforce models, and embrace the diversity of desires, demands, and dreams inherent in today’s school-age citizens. This student-centered approach will ensure our community’s youth are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to meet and exceed the demands of the near and distant future.”

 

‘I will support Ian’
Along with McCain, four other applicants were interviewed: Diane Haack, Jon Gruenberg, Christopher V. Curtis Jr. and ShaTasha McDonald. Gruenberg, who is Cassie Gruenberg’s husband, served on the school board approximately 20 years. He lost his seat during the Nov. 5, 2024, general election. That prompted a group of residents at last Thursday’s meeting to speak out against his returning to the school board.

Resident Cindy Federle had an issue with the hearing of the public being held before the candidate interviews.

“I feel like we’ve been thrown under the bus. I was told at the school board meeting this week that the hearing of the public would be after the interviews so we could comment on the people who applied for this position,” Federle said. “We have no information. How can we give you an opinion other than to speak against Mr. Gruenberg getting his job back because he was voted out. The will of the people is that he did his job; he needs to step aside and let others take over. … This is not fair that you’re asking us to speak before we hear who the candidates are and what they want out of the district.”

Resident Jennifer Nicholas agreed.

“It would have probably been more helpful if we had heard from all the candidates before we had an opportunity to speak,” Nicholas said.

She also felt anyone applying for the position “should be commended.”

“My issue is with the voting. We did have an election back in November and the voters spoke,” Nicholas said. “In this instance here, voters spoke in November. They voted one person out. You have five other candidates that have never been voted off the school board. And I would focus on looking at their resumes.”

After the meeting, Gruenberg — wearing a T-shirt that read “BECAUSE KIDS” in capital letters — said, “There’s always a handful of people that want to tear you down.” However, he plans to run for school board again in two years.

“My mission isn’t done,” he said.

Gruenberg also shook hands with the board members after the meeting.

“I support this board and the decision 100%,”  he said.  “I will support Ian.”

As for his wife, Gruenberg said “she’s doing well.” Cassie Gruenberg underwent eye surgery recently and is expected to have a second eye surgery in the near future.