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 Troy
District Mourns Special Education Director
by Hank Schaller, Oakland Daily Press, December 2, 2003
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Troy School
District officials are mourning Lawrence Selaty, 54, director of
special education, who died in a one-car Thanksgiving Day crash
on Interstate 75 in Gainesville, Fla., that also injured his
wife.
The Gainesville Sun reported that Selaty was killed in a crash
that occurred about 3:50 p.m. Thursday on I-75, about a mile
south of the Archer Road exit in that north-central Florida
city.
Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Mike Burroughs said Gail Selaty, 53,
was driving northbound on I-75 when she attempted to change
lanes, failed to see a vehicle already in the center lane and
lost control of the couple's 2003 GMC sport utility vehicle when
she swerved back into the right lane. Burroughs said the SUV
rolled two or three times and sustained $30,000 in damage.
Gail Selaty remains hospitalized in the North Florida Regional
Medical Center from injuries suffered in the crash. Both Gail
and Lawrence Selaty were wearing seat belts.
Tim McAvoy, director of community relations for the Troy School
District, said the Selatys were returning home to Clinton
Township in Macomb County after attending to family matters in
Florida at the time of the crash.
Selaty has been with the Troy School District for 13 years and
previously had held teaching and administrative positions with
the Chippewa Valley Schools.
"There is a terrible and shocking loss for the Troy School
District," Superintendent Janet H. Jopke said in a prepared
statement. "Larry was an exemplary, hard-working and extremely
competent man who had a very deep compassion for children with
special needs."
Praise also came from parent Donna Spreyer, president of the
Troy Special Education PTO.
"He was a super guy," Spreyer said. "He was in tune with all
kids and could relate on their level. He knew what questions to
ask to get kids talking. He always listened to parents and was
always willing to try for parents."
Selaty served on several Oakland County committees related to
special education students. He was also instrumental in
developing a program to ensure special-needs students were able
to enjoy the annual Troy Daze Festival before its official
opening.
He earned several degrees from Wayne State University, including
a bachelor of science degree in 1971, a master's of education
degree in 1975, an education specialist degree in 1977 and a
doctor of education in 1988. He also served as an adjunct
professor at Wayne State University.
Before joining the Troy School District, Selaty served eight
years as a secondary special education teacher at Chippewa
Valley Schools and as a teacher consultant and as director of
special education there.
Selaty also served in the U.S. Marine Corps and as an airborne
Army Ranger with the U.S. Special Forces.
Funeral services have not been scheduled yet, but a memorial
scholarship is being established in Selaty's honor for Troy
School District students with special needs.
In addition to his wife, Selaty is survived by a daughter,
Sarah.
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