Tom McMillin, member of the Michigan State Board of Education since 2016, speaks to the Eastside Republican Club Forum in Grosse Pointe Farms on Tuesday, Sept. 17.
McMillian will address public education funding, COVID “learning loss” experienced by students and other issues.
The 7:30 p.m. forum is open to the public and will be held at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms. Forum doors open for coffee and networking at 7 p.m.
“We invite everyone interested in education to attend and take part in the discussion following Mr. McMillin’s presentation,” said ERC chair Mike Vethacke in a statement.
McMillin served six years in the Michigan House of Representative where he was chairman of the House Oversight committee, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the House Education committee. McMillin was reelected twice and served until term limited in 2014.
Previously, McMillin served as an Oakland County Commissioner, Mayor of Auburn Hills and for nine years as an Auburn Hills City Councilman. He was also President of the Board of Prevail Academy charter school in Mt. Clemens from its inception in 2004 until 2009 when he began his service in the legislature.
He served on the Board of Directors and as treasurer of Crossroads Pregnancy Center, Auburn Hills.
McMillin is a certified public accountant in private practice and has consulted as part-time Chief Financial Officer for several clients.
He has been a strong advocate for local control of education and a leader in the ongoing fight against those who want to centralize education at the state and federal levels.
An Oakland County resident, McMillian is married to Dalila McMillin and they have three daughters.
McMillin has championed local control while opposing such programs as Outcome-Based Education, Goals 2000, School-to-Work and Common Core. As a state representative, McMillin led efforts in the legislature to repeal Common Core and to halt increasing emphasis on statewide assessments. He was also a leader in giving parents more choice in education through lifting limits on authorized charter schools.