 Homecoming, etc. under COVID
It is indeed a tough time to be a high school senior. Last year sports bit the dust midway through March, proms were cancelled, school itself was cancelled and graduation ceremonies took a less traditional approach as did many of the customary grad parties that pepper the late spring landscape. And now a new batch of seniors are able to compete in sports and attend school in person if desired but the guidelines limit social activities to be sure and thus, annual happenings like a homecoming dance are not taking place. At least not officially. There have been parent sponsored gatherings held in lieu of school sanctioned activities and the participants, of course, have shared photos of these events on social media causing some concern among many in the community. Others feel these young people are missing out on so much already and fail to see the harm in having these get togethers. We reached out to District Health Department #10 to get some feedback on the issue from their perspective. DHD#10 Medical Director Dr. Jennifer Morse, provided the following statement: “We understand this is a very difficult year for everyone and we have all had to sacrifice a lot of our usual activities. This is especially true for high school seniors who won’t get another senior year. However, COVID-19 is extremely contagious, and until we have an effective vaccine and treatment, we have no other way to protect ourselves than by following the prevention methods available to us, such as avoiding crowded activities, keeping distanced from each other, using face covering, and practicing good hygiene. "The risks from COVID-19 are real. While many young people do not end up seriously ill, some do. Some will end up with months of difficulty breathing, heart damage, or other serious effects. Many that get infected will spread it to their family members, including parents and grandparents at risk for more serious illness. We have seen this happen and seen hospitalizations and deaths result from this spread. Having a party, dance, or other high-risk event can easily lead to the serious illness or death of a student or their family member. It is not worth the risk.”
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 To the Editor: Rob Schuitema is who I am voting for to be part of Grant Public Schools Board of Education. Why? Rob is education. He has dedicated his life to creating exciting educational experiences for thousands of kids across the state of Michigan and we would be lucky to have him on our school board. His role as the Director of Education at the Grand Rapids Public Museum has allowed him to use his ability to have fun while also educating and implementing new ideas and innovative ways to learn. Rob is an excellent father and a great role model to many. He always shows up, he has integrity, he is passionate about education and he loves this community. Rob is a person that you can trust with your child's education. Vote for Rob Schuitema! Megan Wirts  Senator Mike Shirkey- Photo from his website A response to State Senator Mike Shirkey's Mlive statements re COVID-19
October 12, 2020 The Honorable Mike Shirkey Senate Majority Leader S-102 Capitol Building Lansing, MI 48933 Dear Majority Leader Shirkey, As experts in public health and medicine, we read with concern your comments about “herd immunity” and the coronavirus pandemic in an October 10, 2020 article on mlive.com. With cases of COVID-19 rising significantly in Michigan and across the country, we are writing to ask you to clarify these comments. We also suggest that the Michigan Senate convene a hearing of experts who are recommended by deans of Michigan schools of public health and medicine, so they can share current evidence about what can be done to reduce the spread of the coronavirus and save lives. Comments Reported on October 10: In the mlive.com article, published this weekend, you reportedly stated of the virus, “Nobody should be misled here or of the opinion that you can keep it from spreading -- it’s going to spread, so we just do the best we can.” We certainly agree that the coronavirus will not disappear on its own. However, how much the virus spreads is not a matter of fate; it is very much up to us. There is strong evidence of specific steps that individuals can take in their own lives to reduce the chance of coronavirus infection for themselves and others. There is also strong evidence of steps that the states can take through policy to protect state residents from serious illness and death and contribute to a successful rebound of the economy. Individuals can wash their hands, wear masks, and keep at least six feet of distance from others. States can take such steps as closing bars and limiting large indoor gatherings, because these settings in areas with substantial community transmission pose a high risk of contagion. Moreover, there is strong evidence supporting state-directed mask mandates. For example, one study published in Health Affairs found a consistent reduction in viral spread among states that mandated mask-wearing compared to those that did not. Another study published this month in the Journal of General Internal Medicine found that states that reopened restaurants before a mask mandate experienced ten times the number of excess cases compared to those that had a mask mandate in place prior to reopening. This study found that “over 50,000 excess deaths were prevented within 6 weeks in 13 states that implemented mask mandates prior to reopening.” Other studies have also found benefits. You also stated, “I’m also a big believer that there’s an element of herd immunity that needs to take place.” There is a mistaken view held by some that the solution to the pandemic is to wait for enough people to fall ill that the spread of the virus naturally slows down. One problem with this approach is that many people will need to fall ill before this level of herd immunity can be achieved. As of October 9, about 150,000 Michiganders have been diagnosed with coronavirus infection. The number of total infections may be as much as 10 times greater, which would mean that about 1.5 million people have been infected. If “herd immunity” were to begin after about 80% of the state’s population has been infected, as some believe, then 6.5 million more Michiganders would still need to contract COVID-19. At the current mortality rate, this would mean more than 30,000 additional deaths -- more than four times the number of deaths to date. Another problem with waiting for “herd immunity” is that even if herd immunity is achieved, the coronavirus can still infect people. This means that even after a tremendous loss of life, there would still be an ongoing risk, leaving many understandably wary about returning to their previous levels of activity. A much better alternative would be to control the spread of the coronavirus through policies based on evidence, followed by broad use of a safe and effective vaccine when available. We ask that you clarify your remarks about herd immunity to avoid leaving the impression that a leader of your stature is supporting greater spread of coronavirus as public policy. Recommendation for a Hearing on the Science: Now nearly 10 months into the pandemic, there is much known about the novel coronavirus and how to reduce its spread. Many nations of the world have found success by following recommendations on hand washing, mask wearing, isolation, quarantine, and contact tracing, as well as other public health measures. To date, Michigan has been a national leader in using evidence to guide its response, accounting for a relatively low rate of infection for much of the late spring and summer. However, cases are on the rise significantly in many places around the country, including Michigan. To understand the current situation and how best to respond, we suggest that the Senate convene a hearing with recognized experts in public health and medicine with expertise 2 in COVID-19 who are recommended by the deans of public health and medicine in the State of Michigan. Such a hearing would give experts the opportunity to share evidence, as well as provide Senators the chance to ask questions about the virus, its spread, and what can be done to save more lives. Thank you very much for your consideration. Sincerely, Joshua M. Sharfstein, M.D. Professor of the Practice in Health Policy and Management Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Thomas M. File, Jr., MD, MSc, FIDSA President, Infectious Diseases Society of America Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. President and Chief Executive Officer Resolve to Save Lives, an Initiative of Vital Strategies Former Director, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Ashish K. Jha, M.D., M.P.H. Dean Brown University School of Public Health Carlos Del Rio, M.D. Distinguished Professor Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases Emory University School of Medicine This letter represents the views of the signatories and not necessarily their institutions. With five contenders vying for three positions on the Grant 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 replies. 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 Damon Arsenault What motivates you to run for the board? My motivation is the students and giving back to the community. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? As a board member, my main responsibility is to create an environment for students and the district as a whole to safely thrive. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I have been in the district about 24 years. Over the years, I have supported and encouraged the high school soccer team as well as the AYSO program, the performing arts program, the 8th grade wax museum, school improvement committee, chef for 7th grade Christmas breakfast each year, contributed to the elementary reading program, contributed to the high school marching band hats, and supported the youth basketball program, as well as serving on the school board for the past 3 years. What skills do you bring to the board? I bring to the board business skills I've developed over the last 25 years working in high level leadership roles in the business field. For example, I've been responsible for large budgets, interpersonal relations, and an environment that fosters continuous improvement. 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? Like anyone else, I have made some mistakes that have resulted in an outcome that was not anticipated or desired. My philosophy is to make a decision based on the best information you have, and if it becomes apparent you made the wrong decision, you alter the course to correct the situation. What is your own experience with public education? I attended public schools, K-12, as well as a public university. This education has provided many positive fulfilling opportunities for my family. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? My priority is structured around a safe and quality education. What do you see as strengths in the school district? Mr. Zuver strives to provide a positive and realistic approach to linking the community and schools. The committed staff strives to provide a quality education to all learning levels. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? In the short term, navigate the current health crisis in a way that keeps our kids safe as well as showing respect to the community with differing beliefs. Long term we'll need to focus on bridging any learning gaps that resulted from the altered school year last spring. What is your vision for GPS? I am honored to play a role in fostering continuous growth in students and staff that creates a foundation for the children, enabling them to be successful in society. Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? If yes, explain. This pandemic and the closing of schools has provided perspective for the entire community as to the critical role the school system plays in society. The methods of how children learn remotely vs. in person has been challenging to say the least. As a community, we are learning and changing daily, striving to improve based on our findings. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. In order to navigate a complex business environment, I'm continually challenged to resolve conflicts. My guide to this resolution is based on fairness and equality. As a board member making key decisions who might you seek advice from? My mentor, stakeholders, board members, my family, my moral compass. Do you ever question your decision making? If not who provides your checks and balances? It's a natural tendency to question my decisions to ensure gaining perspective. I learn from past experiences and strive to continually improve. What book you’ve read has influenced you the most? Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win, by Jocko Willink and Leaf Babin Kelly Brown What motivates you to run for the board? I grew up in Grant and graduated from Grant High School in 1982. I love my school and felt that Grant was a wonderful community to return to and raise my children. My 4 children graduated from Grant High School which is a particular point of personal pride. We have always been proud to be Tigers!!! After being involved in the school system as a parent, volunteer, and employee, I feel that the school board is a place where I could continue to dedicate my time to our community, and most importantly, have a positive impact for the children of our community. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? A public school board member has a vast number of responsibilities as listed on the Michigan Association of School Boards website (MASB.org). In addition, I believe it is a school board member’s responsibility to keep up with what is happening in our community and understanding the challenges the young people of our community might meet when they are going out into the world after their local education. In keeping up with the pulse of the community, I believe the school board is better equipped to make decisions in the best interest of the local population they represent. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I was raised in Grant until the age of 18 and then joined the United States Air Force. After starting my family, I left the USAF and eventually returned to Grant in 2000. I have been a volunteer in the school system for many years primarily in athletics. I have also been an Athletic Boosters member/Treasurer. I retired from Grant Public Schools March 31, 2020 after 18 years as a support staff employee in the positions of Office Aide, Special Education Aide, Special Education Secretary, and the last 8 years as the Middle School Building Secretary. I have also served on the Executive Board of the Grant Education Support Personnel Association. What skills do you bring to the board? My USAF background is in technology and troubleshooting. I really believe I can bring a fresh and knowledgeable perspective as we advance our school into the virtual learning arena. I also have years of experience in writing and interpreting policy. I can bring a real strength to reviewing, understanding, implementing, and monitoring compliance where policy is concerned. 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 am sure, if I really thought about it, I could give you several examples of not-so-great decisions on my part. More importantly is what we do after. I believe in owning my mistakes. Admitting when I have done something wrong, doing my best to make it right, learning from it, and trying to not repeat it. Personal responsibility is essential in learning and growing. What is your own experience with public education? I had a very positive experience with public education as a child. When I was in high school, 1979-1982, I recall that there were many budget challenges. We had years where we had only 5 hours of class a day, yet we still had a wonderful high school experience. The administration and staff kept a positive attitude and atmosphere for the students. Though we had fewer activities, school spirit and participation were remarkably high for what we had. I now realize how much effort that must have taken on the staff’s part, and I really appreciate that the community and children meant that much to them. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? I believe that our 1st priority has been, and should always remain, providing the families of our community a quality educational opportunity for our children. To achieve that goal moving forward, I believe we need to focus on technology infrastructure, software, data management, and quality training for all staff members to effectively and efficiently deliver that opportunity to all students. What do you see as strengths in the school district? I believe the greatest strength in our district is our people. There are wonderful staff and community members who really care about raising good people to go out into the world. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? I believe our biggest challenge will be utilizing the budget to effectively provide the quality education our children deserve. It will take an enormous amount of cooperative work to effectively manage our budget to produce the best outcome. What is your vision for GPS? My vision for GPS is to provide a quality education and prepare our students to successfully move forward with their lives after graduation and provide a positive experience that entices them to bring their families back to our community. Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? If yes, explain. This last year has absolutely influenced my thought process. I have known for quite some time that technology would continue to advance in the delivery of education. I believe this last year has accelerated the timeline for that process and we need to get on board with that advancement so that our students can compete outside of our community. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. I find that conflict resolution is best achieved with an in-person exchange of information and a willingness for all parties to listen and review evidence. This, along with reasonable discussion, will usually allow for a consensus. As a board member making key decisions who might you seek advice from? There are many places for board members to access to seek knowledgeable advice. The Michigan Association of School Boards have attorneys on staff to which board members have access. They also have a mentoring program that will pair board members with other experienced board members around the state. This allows a connection with others around the state that may be dealing with like situations to learn how the situation was resolved and if it would apply in our case. There also needs to be an atmosphere of open communication amongst the board, and between the superintendent and the board, so they may work together so the best outcomes will be achieved. Do you ever question your decision making? If not, who provides your checks and balances? I tend to do a lot of research on a subject before making a decision. I try to find information regarding all aspects to be as informed as possible before weighing in with a decision. I try to project what outcomes might be for each decision to avoid as many pitfalls as possible. As a school board member, I would look to the other school board members to provide the checks and balances. What book you have read has influenced you the most? The Bible Kris Lesley What motivates you to run for the board? The continued desire to give back to our community and try and help provide the best educational and overall school experience for our kids. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? To continue to serve as a representative and advocate for our community and all stakeholders . Also to continue to try our best collectively to put the needs and interests of our students first and foremost. We as a group continue to try and govern areas including policy, budgeting etc still in a way that most benefits our kids, staff and community. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I have been in the district my whole life. I attended Grant Public Schools, participated in numerous sports and extracurriculars and received my high school diploma back in 1988. After receiving my college degree from Aquinas College I returned home to live in the Grant area and have raised two sons both who have attended GPS. During these years I have volunteered my time coaching youth athletics, was a member of the local Lions club before that ceased along with many other activities, events etc. What skills do you bring to the board? I believe I bring a positive, common sense approach to duties associated with the school board and have always tried to put the best interest of kids and stakeholders as the top priority. 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? Probably without doubt one of the hardest things we are entrusted with is making important decisions and using the best intentions as we try to make the best possible decision. Difficult to pinpoint one specific event but can only say when things need to be adjusted or corrected, we have always tried to do so with compassion and integrity. What is your own experience with public education? As previously mentioned I was a public education student and have served on the GPS board since 2004. My wife has also been in public education for over 25 years serving as an educator at another district. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? Of course with this recent pandemic much has changed and has forced all parties involved to re evaluate priorities necessary to navigate through these difficult times. Looking to the future I believe we still we need to remain proactive with conservative budgeting as well as striving to continue to provide the best educational and extracurricular activity experience for our kids! What do you see as strengths in the school district? We have a very strong community with wonderful people and a great staff from top to bottom that all share the same common goal and that is to continue to put kids first. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? School funding has and seems always will be one our biggest challenges . We are really at the mercy of our state legislature and their budgeting and funding of which changes from year to year . We continue as a group to try and best use these resources to provide our most important stakeholders our kids the best educational experience possible. What is your vision for GPS? I would say the vision going forward mirrors our long standing phrase associated with GPS and that is to continue to associate Grant Public Schools as "A Great Place to Grow and Learn". Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? If yes, explain. This year has definitely been challenging to say the least as we have literally had to rethink and redevelop almost every aspect of public education with our main focus being on keeping our kids as safe as possible but also trying to provide them with as much of the educational experience as possible. What we continue to learn is that much of what we are tasked to deal with continues to be mandated from powers higher and that continues to make decision making more difficult for our members. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. I can say that I have been blessed over my 16 years as a GPS board member in that I have had wonderful board members to work with and have always had a common vision and goal of working together in solving any conflict and other aspects as a team. As a board member making key decisions who might you seek advice from? When making decisions we consult with our board as a whole and most often times our Superintendent and administration . There are also times we need to reach out further to seek advice from school counsel as well as resources made available from MASB (Michigan Association of School Boards) etc. I can also recall communication with other neighboring districts getting input from them on common issues, topics etc. Do you ever question your decision making? If not, who provides your checks and balances? I don't think the proper word would be questioning our decision making, rather hopeful that the decisions we make are made with careful thought and consideration. What book you have read has influenced you the most? In all honesty I have not spent much time reading books as a hobby etc...however thinking back there are actually two that I have enjoyed over the years and both written by Mr. Mitch Album and those were Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Danette Obenauf My name is Danette Obenauf and I am a candidate for the Grant School Board. I have lived in the Grant/Bailey area all of my life. My husband Dean and I are graduates of GPS, as are our four children and many of our thirteen grandchildren will be.. Because my roots go deep within the Grant School System, I would like to be a part of the success and continued positive growth of the students and community and their vision for the future. Times have changed, but our vision for excellence for our students never changes. I would be proud to be a part of the Board which strives to give our students the education and values that have always been representative of GPS. When my children became students at Grant, I often volunteered in their classrooms. As my children grew, my volunteerism did as well. I was part of the Parent Involvement Program, who, as a group, raised money for school room activities. I was one of the three mothers who planned, organized and conducted the very first all night after prom party, to ensure the safety of our students. I was on the committee of persons who were chosen to seek support from the community for the current Middle School. I also served on the committee to study the pros and cons of going from half day kindergarten to an all-day kindergarten. We sought the counsel of other school systems regarding the advantages of an all day/alternate day versus an all day kindergarten. I am a former employee of the Grant School System, having served in different schools and in different capacities. One challenge all school districts are experiencing and providing consistency of education and a clear vision for excellence during the current economic and health crisis in which our nation now finds itself in. We must remain steadfast in our hopes and goals for the future of GPS. The future success of our schools is crucial for the success of each individual student's success in life. I believe that a successful Board will seek to communicate with each other and seek legal counsel when needed, in order to present the best resolution and consensus to represent the community at large. Rob Schuitema
What motivates you to run for the Board? Two main factors led to my decision to run for GPS school board. First, my passion for education. I have been involved in education in one capacity or another my entire life. From my family's involvement when I was a child to my own professional career of over 17 years working in various aspects of formal and informal education. Second, my commitment, and appreciation for the Grant community. I was given many opportunities to excel in education because of this community and I would like to give back and help the district excel. Schools are the foundation of every community, Grant is no different and being involved with the board would be a privilege. What do you see as your responsibilities as a board member? As in any organization, the key to success is communication. An integral part of communication is to listen. Listen to the staff, listen to the students and listen to the community. From there, a good leader will research all the possibilities for success, have an engaging dialogue to exhaust the options and then work together to ensure the community is getting the most from their school district. This is the best way to ensure long-term success of everyone in the community. How long have you been in the district? What school activities have you been involved in? I graduated from GPS in 1991. I then moved away from the area but returned in 2003. From 2003 to 2006, I was a regular and long-term substitute teacher in the Grant School District. I also taught summer enrichment classes and worked with the afterschool program. From there, my path led me to work for NCCS (now TrueNorth) as the Cultural Enrichment and Youth Programs Director where I oversaw the counties Music Scholarship program and Regional Art Contest for Newaygo County middle and high school students. With my current role as Director of Public Programs at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, I have worked with the district to have Grant students come to the Museum for field trips, extended programming and helped right grants to provide bussing for Newaygo County students. Additionally, I have two children in the district (10th and 6th graders) and have actively supported the choir, art club, the Spanish immersion program and the Spanish immersion after school program. What skills do you bring to the board? I have worked for over 14 years in the nonprofit world with a focus on enriching the lives of children, families and the community. With that experience, I have grown my skill set to include: (1) Grant writing - personally accounting for over $400,000 in funds received for education programming. (2) Community relations - personally serving on and leading various steering committees, governing boards and community collaborations including most recently a partnership with Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital to provide distance learning opportunities for children unable to physically experience the Museum. (3) Collaborating with other education leaders and community partners on school policy and procedures including writing curriculum, hiring committees, program partnerships, afterschool programs and community engagement projects throughout West Michigan. 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? As an educator, I feel I have experimented and failed often. This is how we grow. One particular time that stands out is when I was the art teacher for the summer enrichment program at Grant. I had been asked by the Primary Center principal to work with a group of 1st and 2nd graders to paint a mural in the PC similar to what Kathy Streng had done in the Elementary. Well, unlike Kathy, I decided I was going to give some artistic license to these young artists and see what they could come up with. She had created stencils for them to use which was great, I wanted to go in another direction. Well, as many of you know, there are no murals in the primary center. Unfortunately, my lack of direction did not turn out so well. I felt terrible for both the school and the students I worked with. We did many great things that week; the mural was not one of them. My take away from that situation was to be prepared to generate success from your students. To understand whom you are working with and make sure you are leading them. I have used this failure to learn and be better prepared, not to assume anything, and adapt plans to my audience. That philosophy has translated into many successful projects over the last decade plus, but I always remember that one and what not to do. What is your own experience with public education? What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? What do you see as strengths in the school district? My experience with public education - As I mentioned I am a graduate of Grant Public Schools. My parents worked in public education, so our livelihood was dependent on public education. Currently, members of my family continue to work in public education, so the legacy continues. My college degree is from Arizona State University and most of my professional career has focused on helping public schools succeed. I am an advocate for public schools. Without them, so many children and families would not have the opportunity to succeed educationally and personally. Public schools not only provide the education platform, but for many, it is the place where they go for food, safety, personal growth experiences, counseling and lifelong friendships. The public schools are so much more than an education system they are hope and opportunity. What do you see as the priorities for the coming years? With my role at the Museum, we have made our mission to be inclusive. That is, opportunities for anyone, no matter what their learning style or challenges are. I feel the same is true for public education. Each learner is different, providing the best practices to ensure inclusion is paramount for success. With that, flexibility, quick adaptation and compromise are the keys to making that common practice. This starts with communicating -especially listening-to staff, students and community members. Change is constant, and successful districts prepare for this and respond quickly. What do you see as strengths in the school district? One of the biggest things that I have noticed since I graduated in 1991 is the expansion of opportunities. There are more class options, in all departments and subjects now, then there were when I was a student. This is also true with extracurricular activities. There is more athletic and enrichment related programs. This has been demonstrated by the growing success of our students in competitions, locally, regionally and statewide. As a parent of two students, I also see the strength of the district through the passion and dedication of the staff, especially but not limited to, the teachers. As is often in successful public school districts, people are going above and beyond to offer every opportunity imaginable to students. What do you see as the primary challenges ahead? What is your vision for GPS? With every public school, especially one in a rural community, budget expenses will pose as one of the biggest challenges. Responsible spending will be necessary, especially as the entire country faces economic challenges due to the pandemic. Strong relationships within the district and community will be key to navigating these financial challenges in order to plan a successful future. My vision for GPS is to continue to grow and provide enriching opportunities for everyone. To be a strong voice and leader of the community. To inspire learning, acceptance and diversity from staff and students and to adapt and grow with the ever changing trends in education. I envision GPS to be the gold standard of public schools and to be a welcoming place for every learner. Has the last year influenced your thought process about schools and the role they play in our community? If yes, explain. In my experience, current education trends - especially remote or distance learning, grant funding for program expenses, and innovative curriculum for the 21st century learner - was already occurring, well before this last year. The education department budget is not sufficient to support every initiative so districts, and cultural institutions like the Museum, have to get very creative to provide pivotal learning experiences for their students, oftentimes with less resources. Additionally, support from the community is imperative and that has been amplified throughout this last year. We are all in this together and need to research ways to ensure the district is doing everything they can to provide the platform for success. From my own interactions and conversations with colleagues, the role of the public school is as important as it has ever been. A great example is what the district, along with community partners, did this spring and summer to provide meals, books and more for families that were not able to get this support anywhere else. Describe your experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. Throughout my career, I have been given the task to work with the community. Whether it be with an afterschool program, a long-term substitute program, summer camps, etc. As part of that task, I am consistently working with people to figure out the best way to handle the situation and encourage growth and understanding. As a director, I am constantly working with staff, as an educator I am constantly working with students and community members, as a collaborator I am constantly working with board members, committee groups and funders. Each of these responsibilities come with inherent risks as everyone is trying to navigate the best situation for all involved. Again, this is where listening is vital and an ability to compromise on the solution must be applied. As a board member making key decisions who might you seek advice from? Do you ever question your decision making? If not, who provides your checks and balances? I am fortunate through my career to work with so many people who have worked on school boards across West Michigan. I have already reached out for advice and will continue to if elected. I also work with educational professionals that I not only call colleagues but friends. They are some of the brightest minds in education and I respect their abilities to communicate and collaborate. I am someone who likes to look at the situation from as many perspectives as I can. I try to ask myself, how would my decision affect those who I am asked to represent? I also like to have dialogues with as many people as possible, to listen to all sides to make informed decisions. I think questioning is a natural part of learning and I do it often. That being said, I am confident in my core beliefs - being a kind and considerate person, someone who listens and acts with everyone’s best interests in mind - and will stand by my final decisions as decisions that are in the best interest of the community not because I am right, but because I have listened and responded appropriately. What book you’ve read has influenced you the most? When I first started at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in 2008, we had recently had an exhibition about Ernest Shackleton and The Ill-Fated Journey to Antarctica. The exhibit was gone, but one of my mentors was so inspired by the story that she shared everything she could with me. One of the things she gave me was a copy of Shackleton’s Forgotten Men by Lennard Bickel. This is the story of the Aurora - the second of the two ships that was charged with going to the Ross Ice Shelf and making the north journey to the South Pole and charged with laying out supplies so that Shackleton could be the first person to cross the entire continent. Just like Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, the Aurora became stuck in the ice and was ripped apart, stranding the crew without hope of rescue other than from Shackleton, who they had no contact with. Despite the peril they faced, they attempted to complete their task, losing members of the crew to frostbite, starvation and hypothermia. They were stranded for nearly two years before Shackleton was able to rescue them. Shackleton himself was quoted as saying “No more remarkable story of human endeavors have been revealed than the tale of that long march.” This is a story of triumph and the human spirit, something that goes beyond inspirational.  To the Editor:
I’m writing in enthusiastic support of Rob Schuitema for one of the open positions on the Grant Public Schools Board. I first met Rob roughly fifteen years ago when we worked together at TrueNorth Community Services. Part of the nature of the beast working at a nonprofit is doing more with less. I found Rob to be a creative thinker and problem solver. I also found him to be level-headed and even-tempered. All skills I’m sure he has put to good use in his current job as Director of Public Programs at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, and that will be equally important as a School Board Member. Rob is a committed and involved family man whose children attend Grant Public Schools. He is intelligent and open-minded and would bring a welcome, fresh take on the myriad of issues public schools face in today’s world. He has friends and family who work in the GPS District and as such, has unique insights into the complex goings-on there. My wife is 27 year veteran teacher in Grant who also, and equally enthusiastically, supports Rob’s bid for a Board seat. Sincerely, W. Christian Kuebler  To the Editor: As educators retired from the Grant Public Schools, we were delighted to find that Rob Schuitema has put his name in consideration for the Grant School Board. Most of our community will recognize the name "Schuitema" as a family long connected with education here. However, it is not just his family connections that make Rob eminently qualified to guide instruction for our students. Previous to becoming the Director of Education at the Grand Rapids Public Museum, Rob was Youth and Cultural Enrichment Director for NCCS/ True North. A graduate of Grant Public Schools himself, Rob was active in both athletics and the Arts. As a parent of students presently attending our schools, Rob also understands the challenges facing the entire community as we strive to do the best for our children. His experience is unique as a child and brother of educators, as an adult long engaged in the education and supplementation of youth learning and as an involved parent. We encourage our community to support Rob Schuitema's bid for a position on the Grant Public School Board. With his background, enthusiasm, and level-headed reasoning, Grant could not do better for our children, our staff and our district. Most sincerely, Mark and Valerie Sweers  By Scott VanSingel 100th District State Representative
Friday's Supreme Court ruling left us with as many questions as answers. First, I would like to assure people that the ruling was not a denial of science, a denial of the very real threat of this virus, or a hyper-partisan stunt. The ruling was simply a confirmation that we have three co-equal branches of government and that the state cannot be run indefinitely by one person in one branch of government. Going forward, the legislature, the branch closest to the people, will now have a voice in determining an appropriate action plan to combat this virus and keep the public safe. This is what we had asked for from the beginning, but were unfortunately closed out of the process. Some of the governor's actions we agree with and will continue. Others, like the mask mandate for outdoor student athletes will likely not continue. We simply want to use common sense and science to make sound decisions for our local communities. Allowing a more local approach, perhaps county by county, may be a part of the plan going forward. Our elected officials; state, local, and federal, all care about the balance of protecting public health and balancing that with protecting civil liberties and our constitution. None of us have been through a crisis like this before and we have different visions. Our nation has survived every crisis we have faced in our 244 years, and I'm confident we will emerge from this stronger than ever.  Governor Gretchen Whitmer responded to court ruling By N3 Editorial Team
The Michigan Supreme Court ruled on Friday that Governor Gretchen Whitmer lacked "the authority to declare a 'state of emergency' or a 'state of disaster' under the 1976 Emergency Management Act after April 30 and that the 1945 Emergency Powers of Governor Act is in violation of the Constitution because it "purports to delegate to the executive branch the legislative powers of state government." The Gov responded by delivering a strong response to the decision stating, “Today’s Supreme Court ruling, handed down by a narrow majority of Republican justices, is deeply disappointing, and I vehemently disagree with the court’s interpretation of the Michigan Constitution. Right now, every state and the federal government have some form of declared emergency. With this decision, Michigan will become the sole outlier at a time when the Upper Peninsula is experiencing rates of COVID infection not seen in our state since April. “ Just hours before the ruling, the Gov had ordered tighter restrictions on public activity in the Upper Peninsula citing information that showed the U.P. has "the most concerning numbers in the state" after cases started "sharply increasing" after mid-September, and said the region has 283 absolute cases per million and a 5.1 percent positivity rate for COVID-19 cases. The statewide positivity rate is 3.06% Governor Whitmer also stated she has another 3 weeks before the ruling will take effect but that looks to be up for dispute. She also indicated the use of “alternative sources of authority” who will continue the measures put into place to control the spread of the virus, though not specifying what those sources might be. So now what? If the 21 day extension holds up what happens on October 23rd? Do the orders that limit bars and restaurants to a restricted amount of customers go away? Will high school athletes be chucking aside their masks and soon be playing in front of crowds larger than the current sparse number of attendees? And how about masks? While some still find it a rather peculiar badge of honor to enter places maskless most have accepted the science indicating the efficacy of this practice. Will this change? Will servers begin to come to the table with unhidden smiles? Will stores toss aside the notices requiring masks for entrance leading to more maskless shoppers? Will gyms and theaters operate as if we are pre or post pandemic? And what will the results be? There are a multitude of opinions on this whole scene. Some peeps don’t believe the efforts that have been instituted are valid and some don’t believe in the virus itself which seems to others a bit like not believing in icebergs when you’re sailing on the Titanic. There are even folks who somehow believe it’s a hoax that will go away after election day and while we’re willing to concede the power of the vote, the knocking out of a deadly virus isn’t likely within the realm of that power. But if restrictions go away and cases spike, then what? Can we trust our two political parties in the legislature and the Governor's office to come to an agreement when action needs to be taken? Or will they fumble along with partisan posturing and opposition accusations as our solons can be prone to do in these divisive (and election year) times? Stay tuned. The ride will undoubtedly be a rough one. But in this most bizarre of all years… Rough rides are truly the ‘new normal’.  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.  The article posted on 9-22-2020 in our Pulse section entitled “The How, Where, and When on Voting” contained inaccurate information on the voting information for Denver Township.
It has been corrected and we apologize for any confusion our error may have caused. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/the-pulse/the-how-where-and-when-on-voting |
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