Joseph Tollefson Appointed to Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education

PLYMOUTH, MI — The Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Board of Education appointed its newest trustee on July 9, 2026, selecting Joseph Tollefson to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Trustee Sheryl Picard.

Tollefson, the parent of a P-CCS elementary-age student, was selected from a pool of more than 13 applicants during the Board's 2026–27 Organizational Meeting following a comprehensive public selection process. Each applicant participated in an initial interview before the Board narrowed the field to three finalists. Trustees then used a ranked-choice voting process to select Tollefson to serve on the Board.

Tollefson spent 11 years supporting high school juniors and seniors in Chicago Public Schools through a career and technical education (CTE) partnership nonprofit, serving as Program Director and Director of Corporate Partnerships. He is currently the Senior Director of Workforce Partnerships at Propel America.

“Selecting one candidate from such an outstanding group of applicants was not an easy decision,” said P-CCS Board President Anupam Chugh Sidhu. “We believe Mr. Tollefson's experience, perspective, and commitment to serving students, families, and our community will make him a valuable addition to the Board of Education. We look forward to working together to support student success and provide an exceptional world-class educational experience for our students.”

"The tremendous interest in this appointment reflects just how deeply our community cares about the future of Plymouth-Canton Community Schools," said P-CCS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Monica Merritt. "The Board and administration are grateful to every individual who applied and shared their passion for public education throughout this process."

Tollefson's appointed term expires in December 2026. The final two years of former Trustee Sheryl Picard's term will be filled by a candidate elected on the November 3, 2026, ballot.