 With five contenders vying for two positions on the Newaygo School Board we at N3 thought it might be a good idea to give voters a little glimpse at the candidates and perhaps provide a forum for prospective board members to share their views. We came up with fifteen questions based on community interest and these were sent to each of the candidates. Here are their responses. This is a lengthy read to be sure, but we believe a worthy one. And please take time to vote. Whether in mail or in person. Your vote matters. -Near North Now Artemisia (Missy) Clark What motivates you to run for the board? I have been involved at the schools for over 7 years and part of the Newaygo community for the majority of my life. I believe schools are the center of a community and the foundation for children & families. Being involved with the board and the schools makes one understand how important it is to be a part of solutions and support for all aspects of a school. I value our school employees and want to support them and our students as much as I can. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? The main priority of any elected official is to effectively represent the constituents in which one serves through support of policy and procedures. These are dynamic times and doing that in a way that is respectful and solution based for this district and students in partnership with administration is the priority. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I attended Newaygo Public Schools K-12. I returned to the district 16 years ago after college and some life adventures. In the past 16 years I have:
What skills do you bring to the board? I have a background in Human Resources and Supply Chain. As a Supply Chain Leader in a fortune 500 Company I have a diverse background that I can lean on for a broad perspective. I have spent many hours in classrooms with the kids in our district and helping teachers, aides and administrators. I have a personal understanding of what was happening pre-covid. I have been involved at school board meetings which gives me a basic concept of what our district is going through and what is expected. I have also served on other government boards which gives me a foundation to understand how public meetings are conducted. I have participated in vendor contract negotiations, Union negotiations and budget and funding initiatives. Can you tell about a time you made a decision that turned out to be the wrong way to go and how you handled it? I can give many examples of professional decisions that didn’t go as planned. I can think of times the decision that was made didn’t work out or the way in which a situation was managed didn’t provide a positive experience or outcome. The more important thing is what I have learned from all of the times that things didn’t go as planned. I have learned to be humble and to be open minded. I know I only see it from my vantage point and that may be very different from others. I have learned that pivoting quickly if needed is important and communication is key. What is your own experience with public education? Beyond being a graduate of public and being heavily involved personally with NPS, my mother was a teacher and my father was the bus garage supervisor for many years. Having parents employed in public schools gives you a unique perspective. I also was a High School Cheer coach. However, being a mom of a current middle schooler is the most important thing I do in our schools. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? I would like to see our district continue to provide a diverse education that meets the needs of all of our students. The current environment in which our schools are operating in requires agility to pivot and adjust. Supporting change management has been the majority of my career over the last 10 years and those skills will be an asset in today’s changing conditions. Change is hard, but having a board that is supportive and helpful is critical and I intend to do just that. What do you see as strengths in the school district? I have always said we have some of the most amazing staff at NPS. Our district has had so many successes that go unnoticed by the general population because our NPS team just gets things done. The amount of care that is put into providing the best education they can give is by far the biggest asset in this district. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? Newaygo will continue to be challenged by finances. With the economics of how schools are funded we are at a disadvantage, especially in a looming recession. Through responsible fiscal management, our financial standing is better than many comparable districts. Making decisions that allow for us to have resources for a well rounded education and support services will always be one of our biggest challenges. What is your vision for NPS? My hope is that Newaygo is the school to come to in the county and surrounding area. This will not only strengthen our schools but our community. I want the schools to be one of the major deciding factors of why people move to the area and stay here! Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? If yes, explain. Schools regardless of how they are attended will always be an important part of the community. It is important that whatever that looks like supports all students in our district with an excellent education. The last year has influenced many of my thoughts around education, but it has not changed my thought of it being the priority of a community! Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. Professionally I have worked on many mergers and acquisitions. Those can be hard for the employees that were part of a former company. I have been a key player in supporting the change in supply chain processes and procedures. I have also been deployed to other work-sites to help manage and solve immediate needs for leadership and team building. Conflict resolution is one of my professional strengths. As a board member making key decisions who might you seek advice from? It is important to remember who voted you into the office while also realizing that many people do not fully understand what goes into making a school work. I certainly was a person that thought I knew what “should” happen in a school which is why I started to become involved in the first place. Understanding what the community wants and what a school can or should do can sometimes be a conflict. The best advice you can get in situations like this are from those that provide the service and those that receive the service and look to creative solutions to accomplish the most effective solution. Remaining open minded and solution based while understanding your constituents is key. Do you ever question your decision making? If not who provides your checks and balances? Of course! There are always more ways than one to a solution. I lean on fact based decisions to guide me. I encourage multiple solutions or ideas and then like to put the numbers or facts behind it. Sometimes decisions need to be made quickly so you gather as many facts as possible and evaluate the best solution. My go to in making a decision is always “say YES… but, if we say yes, then what else happens?”. This process has really helped me make hard decisions. However, I have rarely made a tough decision that I thought was the only “right” way to handle it. Sometimes you have to set criteria for the best way and make decisions from there. What book you’ve read has influenced you the most? I answered this 2 years ago and have thought a lot about my answer since then. I still believe Eat, Pray, Love reminded me to find what is important to you and allow yourself to find happiness. However, with the recent current events - maybe The Hunger Games. (I also like to joke a little) Derrick McLeod What motivates you to run for the board? I enjoy participating in my community and my children who attend Newaygo Public Schools. What do you see as your responsibilities as board member? Broad administrative decisions on subjects such as budgetary issues and curriculum structure that affect one or more institutions. How long have you been in the district? I moved into the district in 1995 with my family, then left in 2010 to join the United States Air Force. I returned in 2016 and am now raising my family here. What school activities have you been involved in? Most of our children are in the elementary, so we have not participated much in sports. We do participate in the annual school fundraisers, and with the exception of 2020, my daughter and I have attended every daddy-daughter dance since we were granted custody of her from the foster care system. What skills do you bring to the board? I graduated from Ferris State University with a bachelor’s in political science, where I was heavily educated in public administration, local and state budgeting, public policy, and much more. My time in service has helped me learn to cooperate with others, follow procedure and attention to detail, and exercise new ideas to solve standing dilemmas. Can you tell me about a time you made a decision that turned out to be the wrong way to go and how you handled it? In 2017, I was a campground manager for Newaygo County at Diamond Lake County Park. Near the end of the season, a small family came to the campground and told me they were recently evicted from their home and had no place to stay. They begged me to stay in one of the cabins that were in the park. I mainly felt bad for their children who were sitting in the back seat, so I let them stay in one of the cabins. The man thanked me many times and said he would be able to pay the next day. The next day came and I had to leave for the day, so my campground host decided to walk down to see how the family was doing. As he walked down, their car was racing toward him, sped past him, and left the park. When my campground host got to the cabin, it was completely trashed and smelled horrible, which he and his wife did a particularly good job cleaning. But worst of all, they had stolen the keys and I was unable to lock or unlock the cabin. I then had to confess the entire event to the Parks Director, who was not entirely happy about it, but was very gracious by considering my embarrassment and mistake were punishment enough. What is your own experience with public education? I went to school and graduated from Grant Public Schools in 2008, and now have my children attending Newaygo Public Schools. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? First and foremost, I believe that the children’s safety and well-being should always be a top priority and finding effective ways to increase both should be in nearly all decision-making processes. A close second would be the school’s budget. While there is little control on how the state allocates the amount for our district each year, I strongly believe we can find ways to maximize that capture while being efficient with our budget overall. No cutback should be considered if it strongly enriches the education of the children (i.e. field trips). What do you see as strengths in the school district? The greatest strength I see in the district is the close-knit community on which it is established. This district’s teachers have an almost second to none ability to not only communicate with all the parents on the status of their child/ren, but go out of their way to ensure that even in the middle of a pandemic, the children tend to receive a good education. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? In regard to the challenges ahead, I think our greatest may be budget related. By looking at this year’s budget in comparison with recent budgets, and knowing most of our funding comes from the state level, I worry that funding for the school supplies, teachers, and field trips will diminish if this district is not financially prepared. What is your vision for NPS? Overall, my vision for Newaygo Public Schools is to not only survive from year to year, but grow, thrive, and give our district’s youth a strong and fruitful education. Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? Not really. I have always believed that a school should be a top priority in any community. By building a better school attracts others to the community as well as improves the minds of the next generation. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. As a former service member, college student, supervisor and manager, proud husband and father, I have experienced conflict resolution and consensus building many times. From talking to angry customers and helping them with the issues they bring, to team building projects with other students, and even what movie to watch on our Friday night pizza night. As a board member making key decisions, who might you seek advice from? Prior and current board members, elected officials who may have some insight in other areas of the public sector, individuals who have related work experience. Do you ever question your decision making? If not, who provides your checks and balances? Yes, I always question my decision making. When I am in a group, I like to have everyone state that opinion and when I’m working independently, I like to talk out my decision-making process with my wife or a close friend. What book have you read that has influenced you the most? Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy Michael Mercer What motivates you to run for the board? To be part of a team dedicated to providing quality education. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? To oversee the fiscal health of our district, to assist the Superintendent with policy, and to stay open-minded in these ever changing times. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? 67 years. I served on two building committees, was an unpaid assistant football coach, and provided assistance in security. What skills do you bring to the board? I bring 25 years of administrative experience. Can you tell about a time you made a decision that turned out to be the wrong way to go and how you handled it? Many years ago I participated in a screaming match with another public official at a public meeting. I later apologized and swore to myself I would never let that happen again. What is your own experience with public education? 13 years at NPS. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? Staying fiscally sound through this time of uncertainty. Working with fellow board members and the Superintendent to make NPS a premiere place to educate your children. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. Many years in Law Enforcement resolving conflicts, and learning how to work with many different personality types. I learned as a young man to only seek advice from those who have successfully done what you seek to do. Do you ever question your decision making? If not who provides your checks and balances? As a happily married man there is only one right answer here. My wife Peggy. What book you’ve read has influenced you the most? The Bible. Cory Nelson What motivates you to run for the board? I've been a member of this community for many years. I feel this era in time needs fresh faces who think outside the box and with all the current challenges we face I relish the opportunity to take on this challenge. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? To represent the taxpayer and the Educators in a manner that is conducive with producing quality education and athletics to bring our community together. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I have coached 5th and 6th grade boys basketball in Newaygo. Followed the Lions in Volleyball, Basketball, Soccer, Softball and Football. What skills do you bring to the board? I have been a small business owner for 20 years in this area. I am the current Brooks Township Supervisor. I also have been on many other boards. Thru all of these experiences I have learned to solve problems during times of chaos and prior too. I have also learned the art of communication and how to work with and alongside others. Can you tell about a time you made a decision that turned out to be the wrong way to go and how you handled it? Before I learned how to work with others comfortablely I accused another person of wrongdoing publicly because I listened to the gossip of others, It was wrong and so was I. At the next meeting I stood up in Public and apologized to that person and the public. Eating crow is not fun but I will do it because we all make mistakes. What is your own experience with public education? Graduated from public school in 1993. I have 4 children who have all been in public school, 3 are currently at Newaygo. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? Of course the answer would be fight for a quality education. But I believe it's more than that, We need to also build quality athletic programs that bring crowds of our community together. With quality education and athletics it's much easier for people to bond. We need a strong community that wants to be ONE to get thru the times ahead. What do you see as strengths in the school district? We are in the right place at the right time to have new leadership push us forward to bring all the quality people waiting to jump in with us to build an outstanding community..I'd say it's our people. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? Currently its the economic economy we are in due to the Covid 19. What is your vision for NPS? An amazing school that is built on its educational accomplishments and its totally awesome athletic program that promotes community unity. Where the Lion ROAR is a sound of pride that makes everyone's hair stand on end and they will want to get involved and do whatever it takes for us to succeed. Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? If yes, explain. Nothing has changed my resolve to make this area stronger, better and accepting for all. However I have come to realize how important everyday class and social interaction is for our kids. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. I am a township supervisor....that in itself forces you to figure conflict resolution out or you can spend all your time freaking out. Also being on multiple boards in the township and past county board involvement have put me in front of people that I could learn those skills from. As a board member making key decisions who might you seek advice from? I will seek advice from those in leadership that have proven and earned my respect. People who I have called on for years to help me push thru decisions that affect many. It will always be men and women who love to help community. That is who I lean on that is who I am. These include Morgan Heinzman, Dale Twing and Bill Gonyon and George Suchey. Do you ever question your decision making? If not who provides your checks and balances? Of course I have questioned my own decisions, what man or woman hasn't. I believe all my experiences in life dictate my beliefs. When you are making decisions that affect many people it's natural to wonder if? But I have found listening and acting on behalf of those that put me in a place of authority most often gives me the confidence I need to make hard decisions. Again I ask many of the people around me to tell me when I am acting foolish or taking something in a wrong direction. I'm great at eating crow....No one person is perfect but we can try awful hard and that is a promise I will make. Anyone who knows me knows I will work hard and deliver what is needed. What book you’ve read has influenced you the most? 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Art of the Deal, Thomas Jefferson, The Art of Power. Melissa Swinehart What motivates you to run for the board? I’ve served on this board for 7 years and I’m fortunate to have been a part of some exciting progress at NPS. Yet there is more to be done, especially with the trying times we are facing, as well as an upcoming superintendent search. I’ve stayed the course through other difficult times, I’m tuned in to the strengths and needs of our school community, I appreciate the voices of our community, and I hope to continue serving as a voice of experience, consistency and balance without personal agenda. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? Work with administration toward a shared purpose, supporting the superintendent in steering the ship. Smooth sailing happens when there is mutual trust and respect, transparency and open communication, and when we work to understand each other. It’s the responsibility of the board and school leadership to work together to ensure these things happen. I see my role as being a bridge between community and school and supporting both, and to give of my time (sometimes a lot of it) to stay informed and engaged; to listen to concerns; to ask vital and sometimes difficult questions; to not be a “rubber stamp” yet not have my own agenda; to be open-minded and willing to compromise; to exercise governance not by managing the district’s day-to-day decisions but through involvement in district planning & goal-setting, development of policies and periodic evaluation of where we’re at; to act with integrity; and to advocate for our kids and public education. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I’ve lived here for nearly 20 years, and my husband Joe Swinehart was born & raised in Newaygo. Besides serving on the board since 2013, my son Connor graduated from NPS last year, and my daughter Lily is currently a junior. So like most parents, I’ve spent more hours than I can count over the years in their classrooms, on field trips, supporting fundraisers, providing team meals, supporting the athletic boosters and other school events and student activities through our family’s business (River Valley Physical Therapy & White Cloud PT). I also served on the “Lion Pride – Bond Together” campaign committee for the new elementary school, as well as various committees supporting the district in various ways. What skills do you bring to the board? I bring a good knowledge of board function and accountability to the table from previous professional roles; management of the various working parts of a business, sometimes having to bring competing ideas or pieces together; the ability to look at processes and organizational health and how they can be made stronger; familiarity with the various requirements of schools to the state & federal levels. Not so much a skill as a trait, I always try to remain positive, yet realistic & honest when identifying problems and the possible solutions. What is a time you made a decision that turned out to be the wrong way to go, and how did you handle it? I could probably go on for pages on wrong decisions! Can’t we all? As the saying goes, “mistakes have the power to turn you into something better than you were before.” IF you allow them to. As a board member, I think deeply about the decisions I have to make -- some have kept me up at night. There have been times I was not necessarily popular for my thoughts or decisions, but I have learned the best way to handle those times is to be transparent about the issue and my rationale, to be respectful in times of disagreement, and be willing to admit to and learn from mistakes. This works best when the people around you feel willing and able to do the same, so that’s what I strive for as a board member. What is your own experience with public education? I grew up in the UP and attended a very small K-12 public school. The offerings definitely were limited, but there wasn’t a better place for forging close relationships (I still keep in touch with most of my teachers and classmates!). I then attended the University of Michigan. The population of my dorm was more than my entire hometown, so talk about a change! But the diversity of a huge public university helped me to grow & learn more than any other time in my life. So I got the best of both worlds when it came to public education. I worked for several years at Central Michigan University in the field of K-12 education, where our primary focus was accountability & innovation. And then there are years as a parent of children at Newaygo Public Schools and 7 years on the school board. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? I think we will feel the effects of COVID for years in terms of how kids and their learning and school operations have been impacted (and will continue to be). It will be critical to ensure their needs are met, that we have the right supports & systems in place to help students and staff beyond this current year. There is always something to be learned in times of trouble, and it will be a priority to reflect upon and sort through what practices we could continue or improve upon, as well as what may no longer serve us well. We will have big shoes to fill with the impending retirement of our superintendent Dr. Mathis, so that process will be of enormous importance. What do you see as strengths in the school district? The incredible commitment of our staff is unmatched, and they keep doing it despite not always being appreciated. I feel our community & school are primed for growth, and we have good facilities and other resources to support that. Conservative spending and wise management of resources has put us in a fairly strong financial position. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? Rebounding from the impacts of COVID and evaluating what our priorities will be. Growing from the experience will require resourcefulness and innovative, creative solutions - a challenge when we don’t yet know what the far-reaching effects will be. Meeting the social-emotional needs of our students and keeping a healthy and productive learning environment despite many external forces that make this difficult. Finding and retaining good educators and other staff. A growing concern for schools everywhere, there are not enough teachers in some subject areas and there are fewer people entering teacher prep programs. A shortage in essential support staff such as aides, food service and bus drivers is also a major concern. What is your vision for NPS? I don’t think my vision or that of any one person is of much importance. It’s the entire school community that should determine that direction. So to that end, it’s important to foster an environment where every stakeholder is heard and input and collaborations are encouraged. It’s a delicate balance for a board to be the voice for the community while safeguarding the freedom of our administration & staff to perform the jobs we’ve hired them to do. But when we’re willing to listen, build solutions & improve together, I do believe we can meet the needs of our entire school community. Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in the community? Now more than ever, I’m reminded how critical a school is to meeting a community’s needs. During the shutdown, NPS worked to continue providing meals, and our staff felt constant concern for their students. I teared up the first time I saw the “We Miss You” yard signs distributed by the Elementary School. For some families, this was a time to reset and appreciate some downtime. For others, it has been traumatic, affected livelihoods, health, etc. Schools are under a tremendous amount of pressure and I’ve watched NPS work hard to keep our kids safe, healthy, engaged in learning and hopeful about the future despite crisis. Schools are no longer just a place of learning – they also provide meals, clothing and school supplies for kids in need, physical and social-emotional health support, after-school care, the list goes on. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. For several years I’ve been on a board that generally functions well, and has had its differences. But I’ve learned diversity in thought doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Professionally I have experience in the management of staff and processes, and it’s a necessity to be able to resolve disagreements and get people on board. Personally, I grew up with 6 siblings in a home with one bathroom (talk about conflict resolution!), and I’m a wife & mom;-) If you were to ask anyone who knows me well, I think they’d say I try to find compromise and solutions; and I work to achieve peace. Sometimes this means we have to pick our battles to achieve a larger goal of unity to keep the ship moving forward. But I also understand the significance of speaking out when something is important, even when it’s unpopular. Conflict doesn’t have to mean combat. When people are willing to work to understand the other perspective, it’s often when the best ideas occur. As a board member making key decisions, who might you seek advice from? Dr. Mathis or other school staff who have invaluable viewpoints; friends, family, former colleagues, mentors or members of the public who work in education and other professions are able to offer perspective and best practices. I’ve appreciated the guidance of our state school board association and their network of advisors. In times when a matter is confidential and can’t be discussed openly, there may be other board members whose insights I value. I’ve also done my fair share of research, silent reflection and prayer! Do you ever question your decision making? If not, who provides your checks & balances? Of course! I think the only way to learn, grow & continuously improve is to question ourselves and decisions we’ve made. I’m open to what all stakeholders in our school community have to say – they are my checks & balances.
1 Comment
Jason King
10/20/2020 05:08:08 pm
I attended School with Missy for almost 9 years. I’ve also stayed in touch with her after leaving Michigan. She is a great woman that loves her family and her community. Missy will do a great job! Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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