By Crystal Hayduk
Greg Rhodes’ first task as a new member of the Chelsea School District Board of Education is to learn about being on the team.
“I look forward to working as a team with the other members of the board because I believe we all share a common vision for our district,” said Rhodes. “That vision is to work with school administrators and teachers to ensure they have what they need to properly educate our students, not only for today, but also for tomorrow.”
Rhodes was elected last November to a 4-year term, and was officially sworn in at the Jan. 12 meeting.
Rhodes currently serves as the administrative lieutenant of police services for Northville Township.
Growing up in western New York on a dairy farm, Rhodes had a lifelong desire to work in the field of criminal justice. As a young man, he was presented with the opportunity to attend Michigan State University. “I took it, thinking I would get to see the State of Michigan,” he said, but not expecting to stay here beyond college graduation.
But Rhodes met a young woman named Sharon during his freshman year at MSU. They later married, and Michigan has been their home ever since.
Rhodes earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice. After a stint as a private investigator, he followed his dream to become a police officer, taking a job with Northville Township. He also obtained a graduate degree in interdisciplinary technologies with an emphasis in police staff and command studies from Eastern Michigan University.
He and his wife have three sons. “The oldest two, Daniel and Scott, graduated from Chelsea High School and Hillsdale College,” said Rhodes. “Our youngest son, Jacob, is currently a junior in high school.”
With three active sons in the home, Rhodes and his wife have volunteered for athletic boosters.
Rhodes decided to run for the school board after considering it as an option. He said that all three of his sons have benefited from the Chelsea School District educational experience. “I want future students to have the same experiences that my children have had because I truly believe the Chelsea School District can prepare them for that next step,” said Rhodes.
“I feel truly blessed that (my family and I) are a part of this community and district,” he said. “I look forward to the new endeavor and will serve to the best of my ability.”
