BOARD of DIRECTORS ELECTIONS VOTE 2017 CANDIDATES

BOARD of DIRECTORS ELECTIONS VOTE 2017 CANDIDATES

MASB Bylaws Article IV Membership Section 2. Active Members. The board of education of any public school district in Michigan may become an active member of the Association. Active members of the Association shall be divided into eight regions. The regions shall be designated according to intermediate school district boundaries. The regions shall be as follows: Region 1. Copper Country ISD, Delta-Schoolcraft ISD, Dickinson-Iron ISD, Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD, Gogebic-Ontonagon ISD, Marquette-Alger RESA and Menominee County ISD. Region 2. Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona ESD, Charlevoix- Emmet ISD, Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle ESD, COOR ISD, Iosco RESA, Manistee ISD, Traverse Bay Area ISD and Wexford-Missaukee ISD. Region 3. Ionia County ISD, Kent ISD, Mecosta-Osceola ISD, Montcalm Area ISD, Muskegon Area ISD, Newaygo County RESA, Ottawa Area ISD and West Shore ESD. Region 4. Bay-Arenac ISD, Clare-Gladwin RESD, Clinton County RESA, Gratiot-Isabella RESD, Midland County ESA, Saginaw ISD and Shiawassee RESD. Region 5. Genesee ISD, Huron ISD, Lapeer County ISD, Sanilac ISD, St. Clair County RESA and Tuscola ISD. Region 6. Allegan Area ESA, Barry ISD, Berrien RESA, Branch ISD, Calhoun ISD, Kalamazoo RESA, Lewis Cass ISD, St. Joseph County ISD and Van Buren ISD. Region 7. Eaton RESA, Hillsdale County ISD, Ingham ISD, Jackson County ISD, Lenawee ISD, Livingston ESA, Monroe County ISD and Washtenaw ISD. Region 8. Macomb ISD, Oakland Schools and Wayne RESA. Active members shall also be divided into the following seven groups based on pupil membership. Group I All intermediate districts; Group II School districts with a pupil membership of 0-1,400; Group III School districts with a pupil membership of 1,401-2,500; Group IV School districts with a pupil membership of 2,501-5,000; Group V School districts with a pupil membership of 5,001-11,000; Group VI School districts with a pupil membership of 11,001-40,000; and Group VII School districts with a pupil membership over 40,000. 2 Candidates for MASB Board of Directors

Table of Contents page Board of Directors Elections Candidate Information 4 and Email Voting Procedures Region 3 (Three-Year Term) Jill Fennessy Tri County Area Schools 5 John Siemion Grand Haven Area Public Schools 6 Region 4 (Three-Year Term) Richard Kowalski Bangor Township Schools 7 Matthew Showalter Shepherd Public Schools/Gratiot Isabella RESD 8 Region 6 (Three-Year Term) Robert Anderson Van Buren ISD 9 Catherine LaValley Battle Creek Public Schools 10 Kathleen Moore Lakeview School District 11 Donald Myers Harper Creek Community Schools 12 Jamie Walle Bloomingdale Public Schools 13 Scott Ward Cassopolis Public Schools 14 Joanne Willson Portage Public Schools 15 Note: Incumbents are bolded 2017 Elections 3

Board of Directors Elections Candidate Information and Email Voting Procedures This year, seven seats on the MASB Board of Directors are up for election. The MASB Board of Directors is comprised of 19 members 16 directors elected from the eight regions (two elected from each); and one director each from Groups V, VI and VII. Directors are elected by active member school boards and, each year, several seats are up for election. Board Limitations: Article VIII, Section 6 of the MASB Bylaws permits only one director to be elected or appointed from any one local school district or intermediate school district board. According to MASB Bylaws Article VIII, Section 8: If any nomination for the Board of Directors is unopposed, the Board of Directors shall declare the unopposed candidate elected without conducting an election for the uncontested group or region. This year, the following seats on the MASB Board are up for election (one seat each, three-year terms unless otherwise noted) Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 and Group VI (one-year term) if you re unsure of your district s region or group, please see the list on page 2. Region 1 will continue to be represented by Paula Saari (unopposed, no ballots will be sent) Region 2 will continue to be represented by Mary P. Jason (unopposed, no ballots will be sent) Region 5 will continue to be represented by Cindy Gansen (unopposed, no ballots will be sent) Group VI is vacant as no candidate nominations for the Board of Directors were received Voting in Regions 3, 4 and 6 will take place via online ballots. No local district/isd funds can be used to campaign for anyone running for a seat. To help your board make an informed decision, the following pages contain background information and statements from each of the candidates. Each district receives ONE ballot, which was emailed to the superintendent secretary on record with MASB on Jan. 27, 2017. These ballots CANNOT be forwarded to anyone else. Once your board makes a decision on which candidate it wishes to vote for, please convey this information to your superintendent secretary. Completed ballots must be submitted and confirmed by the superintendent secretary by 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. Electronic voting is a two-step process: Step 1 = Submit ballot. Step 2 = Confirm ballot has been submitted. Unofficial election results will be available on the voicemail recording at 517.327.5915 as soon as possible, but generally after 2 p.m. on the deadline date. Official results will be approved at the March 17, 2017, Board of Directors meeting, which newly elected directors should plan to attend. To summarize: Ballot deadline is 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1. No local district/isd funds can be used to campaign for anyone running for a seat. Have questions? Contact Cheryl Huffman at 517.327.5915 or chuffman@masb.org. 4 Candidates for MASB Board of Directors

Region 3 (Three-Year Term) Jill Fennessy* Tri County Area Schools, Montcalm County Time served on this board: 7 years Offices held: President and Vice President Award of Distinction Master Boardmember Award Master Diamond Award Education in Michigan is facing so many challenges these days, and my focus has been on advocacy at the legislative level. I currently serve as Chairperson on the Government Relations Committee for MASB, and believe the voice of our boards and communities can make a difference. I would continue to support efforts to curtail unfunded mandates, funding disparities, and work to protect the School Aid Fund from further reductions. In my 2 years as a Director for the MASB, I have served on the Executive, Finance, Policy, and Resolutions and Bylaws Committees. Additional school service includes the Executive Steering Committee for the Montcalm ISD (4 years), Tri County s Finance and Negotiations Committees, Athletics, as well as enjoying the many opportunities for volunteering in our district. I am currently employed as a Registered Nurse for Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids. It would be an honor to continue serving on the Board of Directors for MASB, an organization that has had an immense impact on my abilities to serve in our local school district. Advocating for the education of all students in Michigan has been a privilege. My current seat for Tri County continues through 2020, and I am humbled to be nominated by our board to continue representing our Region 3 districts. *Incumbent 2017 Elections 5

Region 3 (Three-Year Term) John Siemion Grand Haven Area Public Schools, Ottawa County Time served on this board: 17 years Offices held: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Trustee Award of Distinction Master Boardmember Award Master Diamond Award Master Platinum Award President s Award It has been a pleasure serving on the Grand Haven Area Public Schools Board of Education since 1999. I have served as president the past three years and previously, in all capacities except as board secretary. My campaign promise was to become the best board member I could be, and the best way to achieve that, for me, was to become certified through MASB s CBA program. I have gained a wealth of knowledge by attending classes and networking with board members from around the state. I received the President s Award of Recognition in 2008, and recently completed requirements for the Advocacy Skills Specialty Award and the Data Specialty Award. I am passionate about maintaining local control of public education and would like to champion that passion as a Region 3 Director on the MASB Board of Directors. Public education is as diverse as our country; there is no single fix-all solution that works for all schools. I strongly believe that those closest to the problems facing public education should be the ones making the decisions to improve our schools. Receiving mandates by state/federal legislators far removed from the day to day operations of local districts are seldom effective in raising student achievement. Advocating for our state to provide adequate and equitable funding for ALL districts continues to be a goal of mine. Adequate funding is sufficient funding to provide basic schooling. Equitable funding is based on fairness. My goal is to work with local legislators to provide equitable funding for all based on their needs, moving away from one size fits all funding. All boards face the occasional tough decision. Whenever I am faced with making a difficult decision regarding our students education, I first obtain the data and conduct background research to back up my decision, and then vote for what I believe is best for our children. One of my proudest moments serving my local district occurred while conducting a superintendent search in 2015. Through my leadership our board listened to our constituents (staff, students, parents, business partners, community) as to the qualities they desired in a new superintendent. After a lengthy process I believe we hired the best of the best. If elected, I would apply this same methodology and leadership skills as a member of the MASB Board of Directors. It would be an honor to serve. 6 Candidates for MASB Board of Directors

Region 4 (Three-Year Term) Richard Kowalski Bangor Township Schools, Bay County Time served on this board: 30 years Offices held: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Trustee Award of Distinction Master Boardmember Award Master Diamond Award Master Platinum Award President s Award MASB has to lead local school boards, and ISD s to advocate for student achievement, adequate school funding, as well as increased special education funding. MASB must provide information consistently to local school boards, and ISD s so that together we can storm Lansing with facts, and numbers quarterly to achieve change! We have to passionately visit the House, and Senate in their offices with positive information consistently to achieve our goals. This takes leadership that knows and understands that communicating clearly and effectively will garner results! Persistence, persistence, persistence! Again, MASB must lead working with superintendents, administrators, teachers, parents, and students, to visit Lansing quarterly to achieve better schools in Michigan. 2017 Elections 7

Region 4 (Three-Year Term) Matthew Showalter* Shepherd Public Schools/Gratiot Isabella RESD, Isabella County Time served on this board: Nine years Offices held: President Time served on another board: One year, Gratiot Isabella RESD Offices held: Award of Distinction Master Boardmember Award Data Specialty Award I appreciate your support in allowing me to best represent your district by continuing to serve as a member of the Michigan Association of School Boards Board of Directors. I believe this association is a strong platform to best advocate for the betterment of our children s education. With the passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act last year, it is vital to work with the Michigan Department of Education to allow maximum local control of schools to our local boards as federal and state regulations are being developed. Local control of educational expenditures and standards has been the main focus of my state and federal advocacy for public education. Michigan legislators must also provide adequate resources and services to fulfill their constitutional obligation to provide a free public education to their residents. The MASB will continue to provide quality leadership and work alongside educational organizations throughout the state and nation to promote the necessity and importance of strong schools within Michigan as well as the entire country. The contacts and relationships I have fostered and information I have collected both in Michigan and across the county continue to provide valuable resources and opportunities to those students we spend our time working for. I graduated from Central Michigan University and have been a commercial real estate appraiser for over 23 years. I am a sole proprietor of my own appraisal firm as well as a real estate investor and developer. I have served on the MASB Board of Directors for three years and on the Government Relations committee for five years, one year as its chairman. Prior to my service on a school board I was a city commissioner in the City of Mount Pleasant and active in the Michigan Municipal League. I have been married to my wonderful wife Deb for 15 years and we have two lovely daughters. It is on behalf of my two daughters as well as all the children of Michigan that I devote my time to serving the best interests of public education. Thank you for allowing me to represent your districts at the state and national level. I ask for your support in this election, and look forward to continuing to work with all of you in the future. *Incumbent 8 Candidates for MASB Board of Directors

Region 6 (Three-Year Term) Robert Anderson Van Buren ISD, Van Buren County Time served on this board: 23 years Offices held: Treasurer Award of Distinction Master Boardmember Award Master Diamond Award Master Platinum Award President s Award For the past 23 years, I have served as a board member and Treasurer for the Van Buren Intermediate School District. I am a graduate of Lawrence High School, served six years in the U.S. Navy, obtained an Associate s Degree in Applied Sciences from Kalamazoo Valley Community College, attended Western Michigan University and earned a Bachelor s Degree from Nazareth College. After college, I taught high school level vocational training in the field of Plastics at the Van Buren Skills Center until I left to start my own manufacturing business in 1978. I am currently a resident of Mattawan Consolidated School District and serve on the MASB Legislative and Planning Committee. With my work and experience as a board of education member, manufacturing business owner and teacher, I feel I can contribute to MASB s mission to provide quality educational leadership and to advocate for student achievement and public education. 2017 Elections 9

Region 6 (Three-Year Term) Catherine LaValley Battle Creek Public Schools, Calhoun County Time served on this board: Two years Offices held: Secretary I am concerned that public education is under attack. I support MASB s work in their public education advocacy. I am a dependable person who values life long learning; I look forward to this new leadership opportunity. A MASB board director is able to network frequently with active school board trustees. As a retired educator and a retired elementary administrator, my educational experiences have given me valuable perspectives, and I am willing to share that background. 10 Candidates for MASB Board of Directors

Region 6 (Three-Year Term) Kathleen Moore Lakeview School District, Calhoun County Time served on this board: 13 years Offices held: President and Secretary Award of Distinction Today s students are eager to learn in relevant and equitable ways. As educators, we know what good instruction looks like and yet, too often, we are not being bold enough in our approach. The question I grapple with is, how can we provide high quality, relevant learning opportunities that meet the needs of all students and adequately prepare them for college and/or careers? I feel both challenged by and excited about this dilemma. I have been on the Lakeview School District Board of Education since 2003, serving in the capacity of secretary for two years and president for the last eight years. As a member of the Board, I have been on the School Health Leadership Team, the Elementary Visioning Committee, and the District Equity Team. From September 2007-June 2010, I was a member of the MASB Government Relations Committee and have earned the MASB Award of Distinction. During the last four years, Lakeview has taken an honest look at the gaps that exist in achievement, opportunity and treatment of our students. As a result, we have made a significant investment in equity training for our school community. Supporting the Board s leadership in these efforts and my own personal growth, I have attended several multi-day, immersive equity trainings. On a community level, I serve as co-chair of the College and Career Readiness team, part of the BC Vision initiative which was launched with a focus on increasing jobs, talent, and a culture of vitality in Battle Creek. In this capacity, I was the chair of a study conducted by New York University s Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools to review local educational policies and practices in support of a community-wide focus on promoting positive educational outcomes for all students. Professionally, I currently serve as the Special Projects Coordinator, focusing on early childhood education, for the Calhoun Intermediate School District where I previously served as an Early Childhood Connections Family Coach for two years. I am also a Certified Professional Coach and community coach trainer through Leadership That Works. Schools districts across the state are educating children very well, and every district in the state can do better. As board members, we have a critical role in ongoing improvement that puts students first. I know MASB is focused on this, and I d be honored to be a part of the Board of Directors. 2017 Elections 11

Region 6 (Three-Year Term) Donald Myers Harper Creek Community Schools, Calhoun County Time served on this board: Six years Offices held: Vice President Award of Distinction Working with and educating students is my passion. On November 15, 2016, I was sworn in and began my seventh year as a member of the Harper Creek Community Schools Board of Education. This event also began my 45th year as an advocate for public education. Over the years, I have been a teacher, an instructional specialist (Science), an athletic coach, a principal, and a public school superintendent. As a board member I have served my community as the vice president, the legislative chair, and the representative for CASBMA. My board work includes budget, facilities, policies, and grievance committees. I would like to expand my work and commitment by representing my region as a member of the MASB Board of Directors to enhance the quality of education in our state as well as improve the funding of student education and district facilities. As a board member, I have earned my board certification, received the award of merit and the award of distinction. I have earned, and will receive, the award for Master Board Member in the Spring of 2017. Early in my first term as a board trustee, I initiated and led a change from the MASB districtdeveloped school board policies to fully implemented NEOLA board policies. While a very time consuming and intensive process, implementation of NEOLA board policies provided our board with a much improved and all encompassing policy document. I facilitated a workshop to help our newly elected board members understand their role as board members. District-wide, I organized the introduction of Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) chapters in each elementary building in our school district. Finally, I have been very active in my local community as well as the state-wide education community. I monitored schools that were able to obtain the Federal School Improvement Grant. I have been very involved with representing my district with contacting our legislators and governor regarding the unintended consequences of new education legislation. In my local community, I am the supervisor for the Calhoun County Sheriff s Department Dive Team and a member of the Community Emergency Response Team and our local storm spotter organization. I am married to a former educator, the father of a secondary teacher and social worker, and the grandfather of four. Your support to elect me to the MASB Board will allow me to represent and work for you and all of our students. 12 Candidates for MASB Board of Directors

Region 6 (Three-Year Term) Jamie Walle Bloomingdale Public Schools, Van Buren County Time served on this board: Four years Offices held: Treasurer My name is Jamie Walle and I am seeking a position on the MASB Board of Directors for Region 6. My background includes attending and graduating from the very schools I serve; Pullman and Bloomingdale. I went on to Lake Michigan College then transferred to Grand Valley State University where I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science which I am certified to teach kindergarten through twelfth grade and also was granted a Master s in Educational Leadership degree. I currently am on the Bloomingdale Public Schools Board of Education as Treasurer for my second term. I originally was appointed to fill a vacant seat which lead me to run for election and then this past November I was reelected to a six-year term. While serving on this board I serve on the Policy and Scholarship committees. I also serve on the VanBuren County Association of School Boards. I am currently the President and in the past I was the President-Elect and Vice President. While serving on this board we are tasked with organizing an annual legislative dinner with current representatives from our counties to address current issues while answering questions. I currently volunteer my time with the Foster Care Review Board for three counties along with being a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for children needing a voice in our court system while dealing with DHHS (Department of Health & Human Services). I believe through volunteerism we can make a difference in the lives of children. I am a strong proponent of continuing education especially for board members. I have earned my Level 1 Certification through MASB and have a great start on my 200 level courses. I encourage my fellow board members to stay up to date and involved through attending classes, workshops and conferences offered through MASB as well as reading literature surrounding education. Having a well-informed board keeps the eye on the prize; our children. I will bring leadership and new perspectives to the Board of Directors. I will listen and respond to comments and concerns regarding our education system and children to continue to improve our public schools in Michigan. Working together will continue to make a stronger unity for public education. 2017 Elections 13

Region 6 (Three-Year Term) Scott Ward Cassopolis Public Schools, Cass County Time served on this board: Seven years Offices held: President, Vice President and Trustee My name is Scott Ward and I am the current President of Cassopolis Public Schools. I would like to express my interest to represent District 6 on the MASB Board of Directors. My path to school board service is one that is out of the ordinary. Approximately eight years ago, I was approached by the sitting Board President with a request. Our school district was in severe need of updates to our buildings. The district had tried unsuccessfully twice to pass a millage. The President came to me wanting a fresh perspective to run the millage campaign. With a very passionate group of residents, we were able to put a campaign forward that passed unanimously in all our townships. Little did I know that the campaign would lead to me receiving an appointment to a vacant Board position less than one year later. The seven years I have been part of our district s Board have been very rewarding. I consider myself quite lucky that I have had, and currently have, the privilege of sitting at the board table with people who are very passionate about our district. As rewarding as the job is, I feel that all boards could do more. If allowed to represent District 6, my goal would be to try and help put more flexibility and decision making back to the districts. My district is a small district compared to others. Our size does not make the issues we see any smaller than larger districts. If anything, it makes us look for more innovative solutions to our problems. Our Board has come up with some very creative ways for resolving issues that arise. My hope would be to bring a voice from the smaller districts and some of that small-town creativity to the Board of Directors. The decision to want to represent District 6 was prompted by my desire to want to help other Boards of Education with my experience. It would be my hope that I could meet with every Board President in Region 6 to make sure that everyone s voices could be heard. It would be a privilege to represent our district and South West Michigan. I would do so with everyone s best interests in mind. 14 Candidates for MASB Board of Directors

Region 6 (Three-Year Term) Joanne Willson Portage Public Schools, Kalamazoo County Time served on this board: Seven years Offices held: Trustee I have a passion for the education of each and every student to reach their highest educational expectations. I advocate for local control and equitable funding. I align my educational focus with the legislative priorities as set by MASB and continue to advocate for public education by meeting with our local and state official continually on sound legislation that supports education with no unfunded mandates. I am in my third year appointment to the Government Relations Board of MASB. This MASB committee involvement heightens my awareness of the impact of the power of Schools to support our lobbyists. I am a trustee of Portage Public Schools elected to our board in June of 2010 and re-elected in November of 2014 for a four-year term. I am the current chair of PPS audit committee and liaison to our Curriculum Committee comprised of 45 teachers, administrators and parent representatives. Past committees include bond construction, finance, and owner s linkage. I currently serve on the board of directors of the Arcadia Institute. Their mission is mainstream options for people with disabilities that include outreach and training to employers. I am a current active Portage Rotarian. I ve obtained grant monies to support two back pack feeding programs for our students and support of our alternative high school. I am a Little League S.W. Michigan Administrator that includes 5,400 players, including 180 players with disabilities. 2017 Elections 15

The mission of the Michigan Association of School Boards is to provide quality educational leadership services to all Michigan boards of education, and to advocate for student achievement and public education. 1001 Centennial Way, Ste. 400 Lansing, MI 48917-8249 800.968.4627 www.masb.org