Troy school board members who opposed math honors classes lose reelection

Three Troy school board members who voted to remove some math honors classes from middle schools lost reelection this week. They will be replaced by three newcomers who ran on a platform that included restoring math honors in the Troy School District, which has among the highest test scores of students in metro Detroit.

Troy School District board president Karl Schmidt, who wrote letters with comments seen as stereotyping Asian people that were uncovered this year, was among those who lost, coming in 6th place among seven candidates. Schmidt ran on a slate along with another board member, Nicole Wilson, who came in 5th place and also lost reelection.

The election was seen as a referendum on the honors classes and the voters appeared to make it clear they want them restored. Some English honors classes were also removed before the math honors classes were removed last year. Adding to the controversy were letters that Schmidt had emailed to six universities saying that "Chinese and Southern Asian" parents wanted math honors classes for their children because of "bragging rights" and claimed they are more into "speed and computational" learning instead of "deeper" learning. Asian American advocates and groups such as American Citizens for Justice condemned his letters, saying they were racist. About 39% of students in Troy schools are Asian American, but advocates for math honors say people of all races and ethnicities support the classes. Schmidt later apologized for his comments.

The top three finishers who gained seats on the board are Ayesha Potts, Audra Melton and Stephanie Zendler, all of whom have said they support math honors classes. Alex Karpowitsch, a candidate who has led efforts to restore the classes and ran on a slate with Melton and Zendler, lost, coming in fourth place behind Zendler. Another incumbent who voted to remove the honors classes, Gary Hauff, also lost, coming in last place among the seven candidates.

The new board members will take office after the three incumbents who lost step down by the end of the year, said district spokesperson Kendra Montante.

Given that the election overlapped with a contentious race for president, partisan politics also became an issue. The Troy Democratic Club recommended Schmidt, Wilson and Potts in a list of candidates they supported for the November election. Some Democrats sought to portray the slate who supports math honors as extremists. The Troy Democratic Club did not return a message seeking comment. State Rep. Sharon MacDonell, D-Troy, told the Free Press she "endorsed one candidate in the Troy school board election, Ayesha Potts, who secured the most votes out of all 7 candidates in this race. Part of her platform included supporting bringing back honors classes, and I expect Mrs. Potts will be a positive addition to this board."

Despite his loss, Karpowitsch will continue to fight for the restoration of math honors classes, saying that the board needs to act soon to get them back in schools for the 2025-2026 schools year. He said he intends to be at a Troy school board meeting on Tuesday pushing them to make the changes.

"I eagerly look forward to the future board carrying out the will of what the people expressed on Tuesday," Karpowitsch told the Free Press Thursday. "There needs to be a sense of urgency."

Karpowitsch said the slate he ran on was bipartisan, but sometimes unfairly attacked for being conservative. Karpowitsch had filed the Freedom of Information Act request that uncovered the controversial letters of Schmidt.

Schmidt and Wilson did not comment to the Free Press this week on the election.

Schmidt last month defended his views on math curriculum in a statement to the Free Press, saying they are in line with experts. But he conceded the part of his letters characterizing Asians "was inappropriate. ... In retrospect, that was an unfair statement, and I understand why some of these parents were upset by it." Schmidt added: "I remain committed to recognizing and correcting my own biases."

In his statement last month, Schmidt added that "the middle school math controversy will ultimately be settled on November 5 because all four challengers have used the honors shift as a wedge issue in their campaigns."

Hauff, who served on the board for 26 years, told the Free Press Thursday that has no regrets about the outcome of the election.

"The election was decided very fairly by our citizens," the longtime board member said. "They have carefully chosen new trustees for the future. I have no regrets over my service to the school district for just over 26 years with honor and distinction. ... I will be leaving the district in better shape ... than when I first took the oath of office over two and a half decades ago."

Hauff has served as the board's secretary, vice president and president during his tenure. He said he received the president's award from the Michigan Association of School Boards and has attended conferences over the years to better understand school management and courses.

"I have patiently listened to our stakeholders' voices and tried to always make decisions based on relevant facts and information presented to me ... and supported our great teachers and staff to ensure greater success for our students," he said.

The Troy School District released a statement to the Free Press praising the three board members who lost reelection for their service.

They "each leave behind a legacy of dedication and commitment to Troy's students and families," said the district's statement, released through Montante. "Their tireless efforts and steadfast leadership have helped shape the district into what it is today. ... The time and care they devoted to this work reflect their genuine commitment to ensuring that every student in Troy has access to a high-quality education."

Superintendent Rich Machesky said "they have advocated tirelessly for our students, our schools, and our community. Their impact will be felt for years to come."

Below is a list of Troy school board candidates, their number of votes garnered and percentage. The top three finishers, in bold, won seats to serve on the board starting in January.

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