Final 5 Vie For Votes

Stephanie Deible wduring her interview with the Board. She was selected to fill the term vacated by former Board President Neil Geers

Grant School Board Fills Vacancy

Monday morning beginning at 8am the 5 finalists for the vacancy on the Grant Public School Board were preparing to be interviewed. Like many such interviews the candidates would be asked a series of questions by the current board members but unlike most this one would also include about 60 onlookers from the community as well as a gathering of media cameras and microphones.

The recent contentious atmosphere at board meetings spurred by the decision to cut ties with the Child and Adolescent Health Center (CAHC) has drawn interest far beyond the boundaries of the Grant School District leading to an increase in media presence. There has also been a groundswell of community activism in an effort to save the CAHC.

Prior to the interviews Ken Thorne was nominated to be President of the Board and elected on a 5-1 vote with Rob Schuitema casting the nay vote. The Board also voted unanimously to hold the August meeting at the Fine Arts Center and agreed to discuss holding all future meetings there.

But it was the interviews that took center stage Monday morning.

One by one Stephanie Deible, Sheila Boyd, Mindy Conley, Mary Brown, and Lindsay Mahlich  each presented their case. They responded to the  same series of questions from the Board that included asking them how they might manage board conflict, what it might take to pass a much needed millage, and their insight as to the  different roles of the Superintendent and the Board.

Board members scored their responses to the candidates and Thorne tallied the numbers. Following some discussion the Board decided to take turns commenting  on each candidate before deciding on who would move forward for a vote.While each candidate drew complimentary praise from the board members two received motions and support for nomination, Mary Brown and Stephanie Deible.
In a 5-1 vote Deible prevailed to the applause of the crowd.
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We caught up with the newest member of the Grant Public School Board for a few words.
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“The community of Grant is full of so many wonderful people who all bring immense value to the table," said Ms. Deible. "Knowing that there were over 60 applicants who applied for the vacancy, it is an honor to be selected to work alongside the current board, school leadership and staff, and community to help create the best possible atmosphere for our students. 
“Being a resident of Grant for over 30 years this is and always will be a place I am invested in.  I know first hand our school system and the support and opportunities provided to students is deeply important to many of us who call Grant home.  As a board member, I hope I can help create a culture of belonging, bring fresh perspectives, and help engage the community so that we can collectively set students up for success in the classroom and in life. "

The Grant School Board will hold their next regular meeting August 14th at the Grant Fine Arts Center beginning at 6pm.

Board discussing the candidates. From top Superintendent Brent Zuver, Board Members Richard Vance, Ken Thorne, Rachal Gort, Sabrina Veltkamp-Blok, Dannette Obenauf and Rob Schuitema