School Board fills vacancy with a longtime supporter of the district

Salah Hadwan

By Charles Sercombe
Hamtramck’s newest Public School Boardmember has planted deep roots in the community.
Last week the School Board appointed Salah Hadwan to the seat vacated by Mohammad Huda, although Huda’s removal is now being challenged in court.
Hadwan was one of seven candidates vying for the seat, which included former Mayor Tom Jankowski.
Boardmember Dennis Lukas said it took the board a while to decide who to choose.
“But we kept coming around to Salah,” he said. “He was one of the first people we thought of.”
Hadwan’s background is certainly impressive.
He attended Hamtramck Public Schools from kindergarten through high school, and then went on to become a registered nurse at St. John’s Hospital.
Hadwan said he considered moving out of the city but decided to stay here.
“I love the city,” he said. “I’ve had so many experiences given to me.”
He is 26 years old. Hadwan said he convinced his brothers and sisters to remain in Hamtramck and transfer their kids from charter schools to the Public Schools.
“The charter schools are not giving students a full understanding,” Hadwan said.
He said many of the charter schools lack certified teachers and lack quality education.
Hadwan has further cemented his relationship with the city by building a large house on Lumpkin in the southend. It is possibly the largest single-family house in the city.
Hadwan is the second Yemeni-American to serve on the board. He is a member of the Yemeni American Leadership Association.
His term will only be for a year until the next school board election takes place to finish out the term. Huda was elected in 2014 to a six-year term.
Hadwan said he will run for the seat in the election.