It was a full house at the Vistatech Center on Schoolcraft College’s campus for Northville’s annual State of the Community event — a day dedicated to celebrating the progress, innovation, and strong partnerships that make Northville thrive.
Kicking off the event on a high note, the Northville High School Chamber Choir, featuring just the NHS seniors, delivered a beautiful musical performance that set the tone for a day of pride and reflection.
City of Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull was the first to present, sharing updates on exciting city developments and construction projects in progress. Following him, Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo highlighted the Township’s new Essential Services Complex, a major investment in the safety and service capabilities of the community.
Closing out the presentations was Northville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. RJ Webber, who focused on the district’s mission of fostering human connection and educational excellence in pursuit of thriving students and dynamic communities.
Dr. Webber emphasized the power of collaboration among the City, Township, Chamber of Commerce, and Northville Educational Foundation, stressing that working together as one Northville leads to meaningful growth and innovation.
He shared powerful visuals from the year, including photos from his trip to Washington, D.C. with NPS staff to celebrate Moraine Elementary being named a National Blue Ribbon School, along with highlights of the Girls Golf and Baseball teams—both 2024 State Champions—celebrating their incredible achievements.
Dr. Webber outlined the district’s key initiatives under the Heart/Brain framework, focused on cultivating both emotional intelligence and academic growth. This includes:
- Restorative Practices: All NPS staff have undergone training to strengthen school culture through relationship-building, conflict resolution, and meaningful dialogue.
- Bond 2023 Projects: Facility improvements and technology upgrades are already underway, aimed at ensuring safe, modern learning environments.
- Safety & Collaboration: Enhanced security measures and ongoing partnerships with local law enforcement and community organizations continue to prioritize student well-being.
- Instructional Innovation: NPS is embracing the future of education with new programs and tools—including artificial intelligence. Dr. Webber shared a heartwarming video of a student working on reading skills using an AI-powered learning tool.
To close, Dr. Webber highlighted the district’s outstanding recognition on Niche, including being ranked the #1 district in Michigan to teach in, #2 overall public school district, and #3 for quality of teachers—testament to the dedication and talent of Northville’s educators.
The event served as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision for excellence.