I would work to encourage the administration and the school board to be honest about the performance of the schools. Ballotpedia covers public school districts in the 100 largest cities in America by population, as well as the 200 largest public school districts by student enrollment. Its important to me that people feel they have someone they can address and who will take their concerns seriously and articulate these to the rest of the board for consideration. Sara Melton and Jennifer McFarlane were in fourth and fifth place, with 12,406 and 10,660 votes, respectively. Kimberley Williams: I have previously held townhall updates and provide updates via social media. She has spent 23 years as an educator in West Michigan and 14 years in GRPS. For the one partial-term seat ending in 2024, Mary Vonck is the only incumbent seeking reelection. Absentee ballots have been mailed out the week of March 6. Las juntas escolares toman decisiones sobre la contratacin y gestin del superintendente, el plan de estudios, la disciplina, el transporte y los presupuestos. Another incumbent candidate, Sandra Vanderhyde-Volkers, is running unopposed for a partial term on the school board. Northview Public Schools | Board of Education Out of the 694 candidates who completed Ballotpedia's candidate survey, 147 won their election. She is a GRPS graduate and parent of a GRPS student. East Grand Rapids Public School District - Board of Education Two incumbents, Bruce Dennett and Chuck Fedewa, are seeking reelection. Comments (-1) School Board Aims. Five candidates are running for full- and partial-term seats on the Godwin Heights Board of Education in the Nov. 8 election. My strongest asset is to actively listen to each person and work to better understand and unite people with diverse perspectives; I believe this trait to be inherent to the spirit of our city and our communities. Related: 9 candidates vying for 4 Rockford Public Schools board seats in Nov. 8 election. There is a second uncontested school board race for a partial term that ends in 2024. A clear piece is the lack people the teaching profession and salary commiserate with the cost of living. GRAND RAPIDS, MI The nine-member Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education is guaranteed to have at least two new faces after the Nov. 8 general election with longtime members not seeking reelection. Grand Rapids Public Schools 1331 Martin Luther King Jr St SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Phone: 616-819-2000 Fax: 616-819-2104. Heres the list of candidates who have filed in each school board race in Kent County, starting with the two community colleges. The Caledonia Community Schools Board of Education has selected Dirk Weeldreyer to serve as interim superintendent for the 2023-24 school year, effective July 1. During a long and chaotic GOP endorsement convention in Grand Rapids Saturday, delegates made their choices for state education boards amid Republican campaigns against schools teaching about racial inequality and LGBTQ+ issues. The School Board is made up of Chair Mark Schroeder, Clerk David Marty, Treasurer Ben Hawkins, Director Dr. Malissa Bahr, Director Pat Medure, and Director Mindy Nuhring. The Grand Rapids Board of Education could see a major shakeup this year with five, four-year seats up for grabs, and a crowded field of 11 candidates vying for those open spots. Offer input and see the list of community input sessions here., Healthy and Healing Schools Platform - Through over 60 listening sessions across the state, MEJC gathered a list of shared priorities, read them here, Let MI Kids Learn - Voucher - Learn more about the potential threats of the Let MI Kids Learn voucher ballot initiative. Kymberlie Davis, 40, is an elementary school music teacher and a mother to four GRPS students. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 4/4/2023), Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (updated 7/1/2023). Seven people are running for three, six-year seats and one partial term seat on the Holland school board this November. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our, Your guide to whats on the Nov. 8 election ballot in Kent, Ottawa counties, 3 running for 2 seats on Northview school board. Many voters will not have any races on their ballot. Ana Aleman-Putman, who did not complete the MLive voter guide questionnaire, is the student academic excellence and wellbeing coordinator for Grandville Public Schools. Michael Sullivan Elections . Michaud. Seven people are battling for three, four-year seats on Lowell Board of Education in the November general election. Newcomer Kim Taboada-Arzate will be on the Nov. 8 election ballot alongside trustees Pete Battey, Sylvia James and James Lewis Jr. 21 NE 5th St. Suite 101, Grand Rapids, MN 55744 . Incumbent candidates Mark Richter and William Waalkes will appear on the Nov. 8 ballot alongside challengers Alex Abramajtys, Jennifer Thomas Griffin and Donna Mooney. Newcomers Jim Otteman and Christian Kleinjans will also appear on the ballot, but Kleinjans told MLive that he is no longer seeking a seat and will be supporting the other candidates. There are three candidates competing for two, six-year seats on the Zeeland Board of Education. Aligning district resources to community priorities., Jose: Treating the root causes of mental health concerns in districts, which requires a transformation of our educational model as a whole. Upcoming forums for Godwin Heights and Wyoming school board candidates are on September 22 and for Godfrey Lee and Kentwood Public Schools candidates on September 29., Find Your School Board Candidate at michiganedjustice.org and read candidate responses to the Michigan Education Justice Coalition survey.. Grand Rapids Public School board candidates (From left to right) Top row: John M. Matias, Kymberlie Davis, Jennifer McFarlane, Jose Rodriguez and Kimberley Williams. I will bring my best self and be a fierce advocate for the people in my district. Related: 3 running for 2 seats on Northview school board. Conozca los efectos del Bonos de MI que permitira utilizar los fondos de las escuela pblicas en las escuelas privadas y chrter. Sara Melton, Jos Rodrguez, Andrew Clausen, y Jennifer McFarelane respondieron nuestras preguntas y las preguntas del pblico. Regularly listening to the community about their concerns and their needs is something that I am committed to if elected to the GRPS School Board. 2023 Elections . Gabriel David Hager (Grand Rapids School Board, Minnesota, candidate 2022) Grand Rapids-area voters will cast their ballots on more than two dozen contested school board races. Far-right group targets Ottawa County school boards in Nov. 8 election, Grand Valley State board approves contract extension, raise for president, Here are 5 fun things to do in Grand Rapids this weekend (Nov. 4-6), Aquinas College receives $292K federal grant to make campus safer for women, Father Jack remembered as fierce advocate for the poor in Muskegon. Thank you! John M. Matias: The greatest challenge facing GRPS is student achievement that readies students for the riggers of education K-high school and beyond. Becoming An Election Judge Election Judge Application Voter Registration Application Large Print Voter Registration Form Absentee Ballot Application Mrs. Abby Sorota (Term Ends 12/31/2024) 1900 San Lu Rae Drive SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 719-3029 (H) asorota@egrps.org Prior to this school year, she had been the principal of the districts East Elementary School since 2016. Site Map Back . Sara Melton for Grand Rapids School Board The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The candidates include current school board president Mike Reid, board secretary Janice Yates, and challengers Peter Bisbee, Karen Machiorlatti-Waldron, Benjamin Masterson, Steve Millman and Matthew Richenthal. Investing in restorative practices to mediate expulsions and suspensions. My priorities include: 1. I intend to stay actively involved and present in the schools and continue building relationships and continue serving the schools. I have been actively pursuing healthy learning spaces for over 20 years, learning to center equity and the diverse needs of all students. Kimberley Williams: The greatest challenge is making the necessary changes to produce equitable outcomes for all scholars. Brett Graham: Accountability, transparency, and open communication between parents and the district. /Granada College School | Arbela - Facebook Comments (-1) . Board Meeting Overview All meetings are public. Amanda Bernes: Increased partisan scrutiny. She currently serves on the GRPS school board and is seeking her second term. Conozca ms sobre el dinero del estmulo COVID que recibieron las escuelas y cmo abogar por los estudiantes y las familias. There are 13 candidates vying for four open seats on the Forest Hills Public Schools Board of Education. The continued standers placed on teachers to teach to our students is hindering meeting learning style of students and large room sizes impacts teaching. . You are the owner of this article. You can learn what's on your ballot here:. Leadership is top-heavy and building infrastructure, teacher salaries, and student opportunities lags behind that of our neighboring districts, private schools, and public school academies. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Related: 7 candidates competing for 3 Spring Lake Board of Education seats in November. All rights reserved (About Us). Elections County Administration Building 300 Monroe Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2288 Monday-Friday 8:00am - 4:45pm Drop Box & Polling Locations. The work of the Northview Board of Education is guided by the use of the Policy Governance process. The last two years have been, at times, tumultuous for many school boards across the state of Michigan, as communities were divided over controversial topics like COVID-19 mask mandates in schools, critical race theory, gender and sex education issues, and more. Many of our neighborhood schools are pushing kids through the educational system that are not prepared for the world that awaits them. GRPS needs to be able to compete, and vouchers would force them to compete at a high level., Jennifer: No - Parents and students should not have to wait for districts to get it together. Brett Graham: We need to improve and strengthen the basic elements of a school. Each term is 4 years and starts January 2023. I will strive to place measurable aspects to the accountability and transparency parents and staff wish to see. The East Grand Rapids Board of Education has seven candidates on the ballot this November. Independent School District 318 / Homepage We must act boldly to address these issues and we must do so with urgency. 96 talking about this. MLive/The Grand Rapids Press partnered with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information for readers. I attend many community events and often use those events to update those I come into contact with. Jose Rodriguez: One of the major challenges facing GRPS is the inequity that our marginalized students face, which leads to large educational disparities. School Board Elections are Tuesday & They're a Big Deal Incumbent candidates Josh Thurkettle and Christopher Breen are seeking reelection. Sara Melton: One of the most important goals in my campaign is to realign what our district provides with what our community needs by opening the lines of communication at every level. Sara Melton, Jose Rodriguez, Andrew Clausen, and Jennifer McFarelane responses to our candidates forums and from questions from the public. There are 5 seats opening on the Grand Rapids Public School board. Elections | East Grand Rapids, MI - Official Website By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our, Meet the 11 candidates running for the Grand Rapids school board. For Grand Rapids Public Schools, 11 people are running for 5 open slots on the board, and you can join Urban Core Collective on September 15 from 6PM to 8PM to hear directly from them! Aarie Wade: Grand Rapids Public Schools are facing many challenges district wide. Voters will make their decisions for the school board races at the Nov. 8 election. Forest Hills school board candidates talk student success - mlive Andrew: The importance of student mental health, particularly desiring to have one school counselor per building. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Grand Rapids School District, Minnesota - Ballotpedia Jos: S - Los bonos se han vuelto insidiosos porque la mejora de las escuelas se ve obstaculizada cuando la financiacin por alumno sale del distrito. I will work to ensure our teachers will feel safe to voice their opinions and needs. School board member Gary Bloughs term will expire at the end of the year and he isnt running for reelection, guaranteeing at least one new board member. John M. Matias: As a parent, educator, pastor, professional and current board member, I have dedicated my work on and off the board to build a strong commitment to public education. 1.0 Global Policy - Governance. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. With that option, classes would begin on Sept. 6, 2022. Caledonia Superintendent Dedrick Martin stepping down, school board Los prximos foros para los candidatos a la junta escolar de Godwin Heights y Wyoming son el 22 de septiembre y para los candidatos a las escuelas pblicas de Godfrey Lee y Kentwood el 29 de septiembre.. Related: Five candidates running for a seat on the Kent City school board. Candidate List Sara Melton for Grand Rapids School Board Amanda Bernes: I will schedule regular coffee hours at least 3 days ahead of time and maintain a form of communication for all those who join during the coffee hours so that they may be automatically informed when I schedule future meetings. We cannot improve if we do not have the resources to do so., Andrew: No - Parents should have choices in where to send their children. There are four candidates competing for two, six-year seats. Check out the blog for our latest musings. We need to encourage our children to continue attending class. I started as a substitute and student teacher, have taught, coached, principaled, and committeed myself all over the district, have been a part of 3 transformation plans, and am an advocate for my neighbors right along with my own kids. There are several candidates that are running for the Grand Rapids School Board, in an election to fill three of the seats in a 9 member board. Related: 5 candidates running for 2 open seats on Grandville school board. However, only one candidate is running, so after the election, the school board will need to appoint someone to the second vacant seat. I check my email multiple times a week and pride myself on addressing the questions and concerns people have in a timely manner. If given this opportunity to serve, I will bring my dedication and my experience listening to and caring for others to the GRPS School Board. Cada trmino es de 4 aos y comienzan en enero de 2023. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. That is something I would look into with the parents, Jose: It starts with creating a culture of acceptance and really being able to accept children as they come to us I am going to push [GRPS Equity] policy to be more comprehensive [for LGBTQ students], Sara: This is another great example of where letting our students have more power and more voice is exactly what we needWhen students are asked about creating rules they really champion equity that combination of adult responsibility and student voice will be a big difference in this topic., Jennifer: Students should be able to come to school, be safe, and if they need a place to discuss and express themselves, they should be allowed. Dicho esto, sus expresiones y creencias no deben infringir los derechos y sentimientos de los dems estudiantes de su grupo Tenemos que centrarnos en incluir a todos., Andrew: Como miembro del consejo escolar apoyar las polticas que se pongan en marcha para proteger a nuestros estudiantes y permitirles tener espacios seguros, y [polticas que] protejan a los padres para que ellos sepan lo que est pasando en las escuelas - y tambin polticas que protegern a nuestro distrito escolar de cualquier cargo., Andrew: La mejor manera de hacer que cualquier funcionario electo rinda cuentas es a travs del proceso de votacin y el proceso democrtico El trabajo de la junta escolar es hacer que el superintendente rinda cuentas., Jos: Espero que las decisiones que tomamos y las polticas que aplicamos se basen realmente en los datos es una forma de responsabilizarnos a nosotros mismos, a los dems y al superintendente., Sara: De lo que tenemos que responsabilizarnos es de los alumnos y de los resultados. In total, there are 21 public school board races and two community college board races in Kent County this November, and nine school board races in Ottawa County. Trustee Nicole Meloche-Gregory is not seeking reelection. We have 5 positions open for election this cycle. 5 candidates running for 2 open seats on Grandville school board, 5 candidates on Nov. 8 election ballot for West Ottawa school board race, Grand Rapids Community College narrows presidential search down to 3 finalists, How Ferris States partnership with Chinese manufacturer will help bring thousands of jobs to region. We should not wait until our students are in crisis to assist them. During my time on the board I have been a part of hiring a new superintendent, navigating the covid 19 era, and creating a strategic plan. The moral and ethical areas of education are under valued and need to be addressed. 820 NW 1st Avenue, Grand Rapids, MN 55744. Currently, GRPS is making decisions that will affect the trajectory of how we will be able to serve our community. Invertir en prcticas restaurativas para mediar en las expulsiones y suspensiones. Related: Meet the 7 candidates running for the Kenowa Hills school board. Running for Office - Kent County, Michigan En la actualidad, ms de la mitad de nuestros nios estn suspendiendo. Jennifer: Polticas, programas y procedimientos que alivian el estrs de los padres y miembros de la comunidad. Jos Rodriguez Aarie Wade Kimberley Williams (incumbent) Selectively reporting data and test scores doesnt lead to any actual improvement. Many candidates are running for school board races in Kent County for the Nov. 8 election. School board candidate meet and greet, Oct. 11 Brett Graham: I will work to maintain open communication and continue to grow relationships in the community. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues listed below. The seven-member school board has three, six-year seats available this November. Ensuring there is meaningful accountability. The remaining six candidates have fewer than 10,000 votes tallied, as of 10:50 p.m. Amanda Berns Ana Aleman-Putman Andrew T. Clausen Kymberlie Davis (incumbent) Brett Graham John M. Matias (incumbent) Jennifer McFarlane Sara Melton (that's me!) The seven-member board has three, six-year seats and one partial term seat available Nov. 8. Two incumbent candidates and six newcomers are competing for three open seats on the Hudsonville Board of Education. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Eso es algo que yo quisiera revisar con los padres, Jos: Comienza con la creacin de una cultura de aceptacin y con la capacidad de aceptar a los nios tal y como vienen a nosotros Voy a impulsar una poltica [de equidad en GRPS] para que sea ms favorable [para los estudiantes LGBTQ]"., Sara: Este es otro gran ejemplo en el que dejar que nuestros estudiantes tengan ms poder y ms voz es exactamente lo que necesitamos Cuando se les pregunta a los estudiantes sobre la creacin de reglas, ellos realmente defienden la equidad esa combinacin de responsabilidad de los adultos y voz de los estudiantes hara una gran diferencia en este tema., Jennifer: Los estudiantes deben poder venir a la escuela, estar seguros, y si necesitan un lugar para discutir y expresarse, se les debe permitir. I believe that Its important to have the proper stakeholders and experts testifying at the board meetings before we make impactful decisions. As a GRPS Alumni, I had a wonderful experience and I want todays GRPS Scholars to have a like experience. Holding school board meetings throughout Grand Rapids is a simple way of engaging with the community at large. As a GRPS, CMU, and MSU alumni, I have learned and continue to seek best practices and innovative solutions. Big Rapids Public Schools That is never okay. Here's who won the Michigan GOP endorsements for state education boards He earned a masters degree in ministry and another masters in clinical mental health. We need to utilize our buildings and place students in buildings that are suitable to their needs. No estoy a favor de los vouchers, donde los dlares de la matrcula podran ir a escuelas que no tienen supervisin pblica (por ejemplo, juntas elegidas).. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Two incumbents are seeking reelection: Jessica Curtis and Patrick Nugent. Voters will choose five candidates out of the 11 on the ballot for four-year seats.There are three incumbents seeking reelection: Kimberley Williams, Kymberlie Davis and John Matias. The boards policy states that its purpose is to represent publics interestempower the Superintendent to direct GRPSs corporate structure to provide a quality education. I believe the realignment Im talking about will accomplish an important part of the boards purpose as well as help us hold us all accountable to the public who voted for us to be in this important office. Ahora mismo se dice que necesitamos ms salud mental y bienestar, y estoy de acuerdo con eso cmo nos aseguramos de que nuestros sistemas sean ms saludables y cmo nos aseguramos de que el sistema de responsabilidad sea ms saludable?, Jos: Trabajando en GRPS durante los ltimos 5 aos y ver todos los problemas que hemos tenido con Dean no es aceptable no s si estamos haciendo responsable a Dean creo que GRPS debera tener su propio sistema de autobuses en adelante., Sara: Tenemos que alzar la voz y exigir lo que necesitamos, y si no es posible que Dean haga su trabajo, tenemos que asumir esa responsabilidad e irnos a otro sitio., Andrew: Creo que tenemos que decirle a Dean cules son nuestras necesidades y darles un plazo para que hagan los cambios y si no pueden hacerlos en ese plazo deberamos tener un plan redactado de lo que haremos si no pueden, Jennifer: El transporte en autobs es algo que est completamente fuera de mi mbito de experiencia.