School board member talks about her vision for the district

By Charles Sercombe
Candidates for the Hamtramck School Board won’t have any problem getting elected this year.
In fact, all they need is one vote each.
That’s because there are only three candidates running for the three open seats on the board.
But only one of the candidates sought – and received — an endorsement from the Hamtramck Federation of Teachers union.
That was current Boardmember Tazia Miah.
Joining her in the upcoming November election are former boardmember Showkat Choudhury and newcomer Emad Shammakh.
Recently, the teachers’ union hosted a meet-and-greet with Miah at the Hamtramck Public Library to discuss her vision for the school district – a district that will be facing some challenging financial and student achievement issues.
Only a handful of people showed up for the meet-and-greet, but, among those who did, there was a lively discussion.
Speaking as a graduate of Hamtramck High School, Miah said she would strive to make the district “a place where students want to learn. You have to have teachers who want to be here.”
Miah was appointed to the board several months ago, after former boardmember Daz’Shavon Hall resigned. Miah said she is still in the process of “finding out what’s working/not working.”
So far, she said, what is working is that the district is “on the path of improving help for teachers. You have to know what to do.”
Compared to her time as a student in the district 10 years ago, Miah says there are now “a lot more opportunities for kids.”
What the district needs to work on, she said, is providing “stable leadership.”
And, by that, she means that the board needs to make it a top priority to find a permanent superintendent.
For over a year, the district has been run by Interim Superintendent James Larson-Shidler, who also doubles as the district finance director – dual roles that some members of the board say lessen his focus on district needs.
One obstacle to looking for a full-time superintendent is the fact that the district continues to pay Superintendent Jaleelah Ahmed, even though she was removed from her duties.
In other words, the district has been paying her about $250,000 a year to not work, and this has been ongoing for the past few years. Her contract with the district runs out at the end of this year.
The district has never explained why Ahmed is being paid not to work.
Miah said she realizes that the most pressing challenge is dealing with the district’s finances. The district appears to be in deficit spending, although the exact financial shape of the district remains fuzzy at best.
Miah said the board will be tasked with creating a budget that is “fair and sustainable. It’s going to take a lot of work.”
As for now, she feels the board needs to broaden its view of the district’s financial needs in order to “look at the big picture.”
Miah also has a lot on her schedule personally. She works full-time while also heading into a pre-med program. Despite that heavy obligation, she said she is committed to providing a “supportive role.”
“I’m here to let the community know I’m out there,” she said.
In a Facebook posting, Miah added: “It has been my priority to listen to, and advocate for, our students, families, educators, and school community. I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity. …”
School board terms are for six years, and the election is Nov. 3.
Posted Sept. 18, 2026