FPS Board of Education Members 2023-2024

  • The Board of Education consists of seven school district residents who will hold either four or six-year terms. Effective November 2016, all terms will be for six years. Elections are held bi-annually in November even years. The Board of Education is a governing body which is independent of other municipal, elected governing bodies.

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Dr. Cheryl B. Blau, President

Dr. Cheryl Blau has taught all subjects in grades 1-8 for more than 30 years in public, private, parochial, and charter schools.  She has also taught at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the fields of both education and psychology.  Dr. Blau currently holds Bachelors, Masters, and Doctoral degrees in Education as well as a second Master’s degree in psychology.  Drawing upon current neuroscience about how the brain learns best, Dr. Blau specializes in creating highly engaging, interactive, experiential lessons designed to bring the curricular content to life for students so that they will connect meaningfully and deeply with what they learn. Dr. Blau also serves as an Arts Commissioner for Farmington/Farmington Hills, Farmers Market volunteer, Mansion volunteer, and marches with both the Farmington Warnerettes Parasol Drill Team and the Rosie the Riveter Lunchbox Drill Team. She is the proud mother of two Farmington High graduates. 

Term expires: 2026

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Mrs. Claudia T. Heinrich, Vice President

Claudia Heinrich was elected in November 2020. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a BA in Education and Eastern Michigan University with a Masters Degree in Mathematics. Claudia retired in 2015 after a 40-year career in education, teaching high school mathematics at Riverside High School in North Dearborn Heights, Mercy High School in Farmington Hills, and Stevenson High School in Livonia. In addition to teaching high school, Claudia taught mathematics at Oakland Community College and Schoolcraft College. Claudia has lived in Farmington Hills with her husband, Dave Heinrich, since 1975. Together they raised four daughters who attended Farmington Public Schools from preschool through high school graduation. Two of her daughters live in Farmington Hills, and their children attend Farmington Public Schools. Claudia has had a lifelong involvement in community service; she was a member of the Farmington Area Jaycee Women, PTA, Girl Scout Leader, Religious Education Teacher, and Youth Basketball Coach. Claudia is currently active as a Farmington Area Goodfellows Volunteer and a member of the DKG International Society of Professional Women Educators.

Term expires: 2024

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Mr. Zach T. Rich, Secretary

Zach Rich was elected in November 2018. He is a two-time graduate of Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Public Affairs, co-majoring in International Studies and University Honors, and a Master's Degree in Public Administration. Before that, he attended Forest Elementary and Warner Middle School before becoming a Farmington District ambassador to the International Academy. Zach has worked for over a decade in a variety of public service roles at the local, county, and federal levels of government. Zach is actively involved with the Northern Guard Supporters and is a co-owner of Detroit City Football Club.

Term expires: 2024

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Mrs. Terri A. Weems, Treasurer

Terri Weems was appointed in September 2015 and elected in 2016 and 2022. She is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute and Michigan Association of CPAs, and the National Association of Black Accountants. Terri attended the Honors College at Ohio University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Science degree. 

With 20+ years of accounting expertise spanning public accounting and auditing, client service, process improvement initiatives, and talent development both in the US and abroad, Terri has managed multinational audit engagements for Fortune 500 corporations and implemented strategic transformational company initiatives across 50,000+ staff. For the past several years, Terri has been supporting Detroit at Work Workforce efforts as President of a large nonprofit organization and Michigan Works agency. In addition, she is a constant advocate and champion for youth and innovative programming aimed at improving the lives of others. 

Terri is an active member of her community. She has served as President of the Board of Education three times during her tenure, as well as Vice President and Treasurer. She served as Chairperson of several FPS PTA boards and is treasurer of her homeowner association. In addition, she volunteers her time to several organizations which provide tax assistance to those in need, food for people experiencing homelessness, accounting educational awareness, mentorship, and launched an annual scholarship for high school and college students.

Terri and her husband live in Farmington Hills and have three children: one graduate currently attending college and two attending Farmington Public Schools.

Term expires: 2028

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Ms. Mable S. Fox, Trustee

Mable Fox was elected in 2020.  She earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan, a Master of Education from the University of Phoenix, and a Michigan teacher certification. Mable is a lifelong community advocate, co-founding the Littlefield Block Club at the age of 16. She was elected Precinct Delegate at 21 years and interned for the Detroit Council Member, Honorable Erma Henderson. She is the mother of three young adults, products of Farmington and Detroit Public Schools. Mable is a 24-year-old resident of Farmington Hills and a former member/president of the Timbercrest Homeowners Association.  Former Farmington High Music Trustees, and Marching Band mom. Mable is co-founder of the Farmington Area Concerned Citizens and a former member of the Farmington Hills Police Crime Prevention.

Mable has over 30 years of experience in educational consulting throughout the state. She has provided professional development for teachers in adaptive/ assistive technology using data to inform teaching and learning. Currently, Mable is a consultant with Michigan Virtual. She is co-founder of Calvary Education Center and provides enrichment and STEM summer experiences for Metro-Detroit children. 

In 2009, Mable was honored as Mother of the Year by the Detroit Free Press featured article "A Mother's Heart" and recently received the Mother of the Year “Angel Award 2020” from Children Spa with Disabilities. She is a champion for children.

Term expires: 2026

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Ms. Angie F. Smith, Trustee

Angie Smith was elected in 2016. She is the single mother of three daughters who all attended Farmington Public Schools - graduates of 2006, 2010 and 2016. She has resided in Farmington Hills for over 20 years and was involved in her daughters’ academics and extracurricular activities.  Angie attended Wayne County Community College and Wayne State University with a major in Mortuary Science.   She worked for Detroit Public Schools for 8 ½ years in the Special Education Department as a trainable aide in grade 1. As a Farmington Hills resident, Angie served on numerous committees in the district. Angie has also served the District as a Building PTA President, PTA Council president, PTA State Region D Representative, and Co-Chair of the Farmington/Farmington Hills MCMR MLK Walk.

Term expires: 2028

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Mr. Donald Walker, Jr., Trustee

A University of Detroit-Mercy graduate in Communications, with a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a two-time graduate of Specs Howard School of Media Arts, Donald Walker has worked in media and education for 30 years. He was an announcer for Mix 92.3 and Oldies 104.3 WOMC, Director of Education and Instructor at Specs Howard School of Media Arts, Production Director at WRCJ, videographer and editor for the Communications Department at Detroit Public Schools Community District. As Director of Multimedia at Detroit School of Arts, he provides administrative support to the digital media programs and teachers. Donald sits on the TV-10 and IT advisory boards for North Farmington, and is a member of FAAPN, The Beloved Community Initiative and Community Equity Organization. He and his family have been a part of the community for 20 years.

Term expires: 2028

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