Kumar drops out of BHS race due to job change

By Lisa Brody

Siva Kumar, a current Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education trustee who had been running for a second four-year term, announced he will no longer be a candidate for the post, although his name will remain on the ballot for the November 5 election.

“Due to a recent change in my role at work which will require extensive travel, I’ve decided that I will be unable to give my full commitment to serve as a trustee and I’ve made the decision to drop running for this seat,” Kumar said in an email.

However, he is still engaged in the race and in maintaining Bloomfield Hills Schools as a superior district, and has endorsed three candidates for the three open seats on the board.

“To me, securing strong leadership on our board means endorsing Michelle Southward, Jonathan Vangemert and Jason Abel for the three open seats on our school board,” Kumar said. “I believe that my colleagues Michelle Southward and Jonathan Vangemert will continue to bring their insight and stability to the board that (superintendent) Rick West needs at this time, and that candidate Jason Abel has the talent and strategic skills necessary to become part of this board for the moments ahead.”

Kumar has had an active tenure on the board, during a time of instability and flux for the district. Elected in 2020, Kumar worked with his fellow trustees to support the district to successfully navigate a contentious recovery from pandemic.

He also served as the board vice president for two years, in 2022 and 2023. Kumar also chaired the facilities and bond subcommittee for two years in order to ensure that the district's spending on its $200 million bond remained on time and on budget.

He served on the superintendent search subcommittee and has worked to successfully onboard new superintendent Rick West, who began his term July 1.

“Planning for the sustainability of our district and its leadership has always been at the center of my work and I feel proud that our board achieved that with hiring Superintendent Rick West,” Kumar said.

Kumar also is a trustee for the Bloomfield Hills Schools Foundation, which is an endeavor he said he will put his energies toward.