“IF I MUST ERR, LET ME ERR ON
THE SIDE OF THE CHILD,”
—DR.SEYMOUR GRETCHKO
Dr. Seymour Gretchko was an uncompromising advocate for public education. He served for 30 years in the Detroit Public Schools as a teacher, counselor, principal, and region superintendent. His last twenty would be spent with West Bloomfield Schools. He is dearly remembered for moving West Bloomfield School District from a mediocre school district to one of the best in the country. Dr. Gretchko was soft hearted, compassionate, demanding of excellence and a leader of unparalleled competence.
Dr. Gretchko served on many local, state, and national committees. He was a guest speaker on brain research and learning, technology, the change process, religion in schools, teaching values in schools, and public school successes. As a member of the American Values Institute, Dr. Gretchko was instrumental in creating “American Values for American Schools” which was endorsed by board, administrator, and principal associations throughout the State of Michigan in 1996.
Dr. Gretchko was a dynamic community leader. He engaged community stakeholders to form task forces that focused on early childhood education and technology. His customer driven philosophy earned West Bloomfield School District the distinction of a National School Match Award. In 2001, the district was given it’s second consecutive A+ grade by The Detroit News (School Report Card) along with the distinction of being one of the top rated school districts in Oakland County.
*WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT ACHIEVEMENTS AND HONORS*
- ALL EIGHT ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS NAMED STATE EXEMPLARY, SIX NATIONAL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOLS
- ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED BY LEARNING RESOURCES NETWORK (LERN)
- THREE MILIKEN FAMILY FOUNDATION NATIONAL EDUCATOR AWARDS (1990, 1991, 1999)
- A+ GRADE BY THE DETROIT NEWS AND SECOND RANK AMOUNGST 83 METRO DETROIT SCHOOL DISTRICTS
- RECOGNITION OF PROGRAMS, STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS, AND STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS AT THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVELS
- FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN MICHIGAN TO ADOPT “AMERICAN VALUES FOR AMERICAN SCHOOLS”
Dr. Seymour Gretchko was a visionary leader and undeniably one of most impactful and accomplished advocates for youth. DR. SEYMOUR GRETCHKO (SY) IS A LOCAL HERO FOR YOUTH THAT WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. THANK YOU SY GRTECHKO.
HONORS
Michigan Superintendent of the Year, 2000
- Selected by Michigan Association of School Administrators
- Special Tribute by Governor John Engler, Senator Bill Bullard, Jr., and Representative Marc Shulman
- Special Congressional Recognition by Joseph K. Knollenberg
- Proclamation by Oakland County Board of Commissioners
- Proclamation by West Bloomfield Township Board
Excellence in Educational Leadership Award from the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) nominated by the Wayne State University education leadership faculty, 2000
Honoree for Detroit Friends of ALYN Hospital, 1996
Seymour Gretchko Elementary School, 1995
- School named in honor of accomplishments as Superintendent of West Bloomfield School District
Educator of the Year, 1991
- Phi Delta Kappa
Distinguished Service and Leadership, 1988
- Phi Delta Kappa
Special Tribute by State of Michigan for Long and Distinguished Service to the City of Detroit as an Educator, 1982
Anthony Wayne Award for Educational Leadership, 1979
- Wayne State University, College of Education
PRESENTATIONS
Panelist, “Raising Achievement Among Diverse Student Populations,” Brain Connection Fall Executive Forum, Scientific Learning, November 10, 2000
Speaker, “About Vouchers,” Jewish Coalition Against Vouchers, October 23, 2000
Panelist, “What if You Never Learned to Rhyme,” Brain Connection to Education Conference, Scientific Learning, May 12, 2000
Panelist, “School Behavior and Values: The Role of Religion,” National Conference for Community and Justice-Interfaith Round Table, Clergy Trialog, November 23, 1999
Round Table Facilitator, “Superintendent’s Role in Technology Integration,” 13th Annual Technology + Learning Conference, National School Boards Association, November 12, 1999
Speaker, “Not In This Neighborhood,” Managing Conflict at all Levels, The Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents, Inc., September 23, 1999
Participant in Jewish Federation Centennial Education Committee, January 1998
Panelist, “Moral Lessons of the Holocaust,” The Holocaust in Southern Europe, by The National Italian American Foundation, June 5, 1997
Panelist, “Public Education in Local School Districts: Impacts of State Reform,” Detroit Orientation Institute, April 29, 1997
Speaker, “Teaching Values in the Public Schools,” Humanist Forum at The Birmingham Temple, November 4, 1996
Panelist, “American Values for American Schools—Ways to Implement Them,” Michigan Association of School Boards, October 26, 1996
Panelist, “Do We Really Need Public Education?” Phi Delta Kappa, Wayne State University Chapter, September 5, 1996
Guest Speaker, “Michigan Education and The Religious Right,” Tuesday Night Study Group, August 20, 1996
Guest Speaker, “Support for Children,” Greater West Bloomfield Community Awards Breakfast, May 17, 1996
Speaker, “A Client-Focused School District,” Warren School District’s Curriculum Staff, April 26, 1996
Speaker, “Status of Public Education Today,” Leadership Oakland VI, April 24, 1996
Panelist, “Impact of Changes Proposed and Implemented by the State Board of Education on Suburban Schools,” Detroit Orientation Institute, April 24, 1996
Closing speaker for “Welcome Fest,” West Bloomfield Clergy Association, March 28, 1996
Panelist, “American Values for American Schools,” Clergy & Citizens United, March 3, 1996
Speaker, “Current Issues of Religion and the Public Schools,” West Bloomfield Clergy Association,