COMSTOCK TOWNSHIP, MI -- Two candidates are challenging four incumbents for their seats on the Comstock Public Schools Board of Education.
Current board members Shirley Amos, Richard Hathaway and Matt Schreiner are running for re-election to the board. Current board Vice President Jeff Van Goeye is registered as a write-in candidate.
Incumbents will face candidates Saralyn Heckema-Brown and Dorinda Scholly in the Nov. 6 election.
In questionnaire responses submitted via email to MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette, the six candidates explained why they are running and outlined top-priority issues they would address if elected.
Amos, 64, is a decorating consultant at Douglas & Son Inc., she said in her questionnaire response. She has served on the Comstock Public Schools board for six years and in 2017 led as the group's vice president, she said. She is a graduate of Loy Norrix High School and attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
Hathaway, 71, is the owner of H & S Prototype and Design, LLC and a former professor at Western Michigan University, he said in his response. He has served over nine years on the school's board of education but was attending meetings for over a decade prior, he said. He holds a doctorate degree in philosophy, a master's degree in mechanical engineering and a bachelor's degree in automotive engineering technology from Western Michigan University. He taught in higher education for 34 years, has extensive knowledge of STEM education and is educated in best practices for education, STEM testing and experiential learning both hands-on and project based, he said.
Schreiner, 44, is a stay-at-home parent, president of Eastwood Little League and a former RN with a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University in therapeutic recreation, he said in his response. A school board member for two years, he was involved in the district's search and selection of the new superintendent. He is also a certified school board member by the Michigan Association of School Boards.
Van Goeye, 55, is the current board's vice president. He has served on the board for six years, he said in his response. He is currently the superintendent for Brussee/Brady Inc. in Three Rivers and holds an associate's degree in architecture from ITT Technical Institution, he said. He is a Michigan Association of School Board certified member.
Heckema-Brown, 45, is an executive assistant with a bachelor's degree in human resources, she said in her questionnaire response. A life-long resident of Comstock Township and a graduate of Comstock Public Schools, she is also involved in the school's parent organization. She said her experience working for a credit union exposed her to board meeting dynamics, strategic planning, budgeting, project completion goals and organization company events with a high attention to detail.
Scholly, 56, is a retired teacher from Comstock Public Schools. She is currently working as a substitute teacher in the district, she said in her response. She holds a bachelor's degree and worked 23 years as a teacher, she said. She has first-hand experience to the issues facing teachers, parents and students. She serves on the Comstock Community Center Executive Board and is a retired member of the Comstock Education Association and a former vice chair of the Kalamazoo County Education Association, she said.
Please explain why you're running for this office.
AMOS
I have six years of experience as a Trustee on the board. I believe I have made good decisions to move Comstock forward. This year the Board of Education hired a new Superintendent for Comstock Public Schools. I would like to continue as a board member to support him in the challenges that we face. Having the best education for students is my main concern. We have an excellent teaching staff and having the best resources possible for them and for the students is of utmost importance.
Our facilities are currently being upgraded. I am very thankful to the Comstock community for their generous support. The number one focus for the upgrades was for safe schools. I am happy to say that being on the school board gave me the opportunity to approve those upgrades and other improvements that are currently under way.
HATHAWAY
Today education is more important than ever and will remain so well into the future. I would like to use my background and education to foster change which will lead to academic growth and opportunity for all our children. As a university Professor I know how important quality K-12 education is to future success. Whether it is the completion of a college degree or skills training, both can lead to greater life-time opportunities.
Education today is highly competitive. This past summer the Board of Education hired a new Superintendent for Comstock Public Schools. I would enjoy working with the new superintendent toward a vision to make Comstock Public Schools one of the first choices for public education in the region. One of our challenges is to increase enrollment through strong academic offerings. We have a strong teaching staff which needs to be supported with the resources to provide the best education possible for students while making their jobs more meaningful and rewarding. Our facilities are being upgraded through the generosity of our community and those upgrades need to be focused to assure they address the needs of this community's children while providing facilities which meet high classroom learning demands into the future.
At Green Meadow Elementary, with the help of many volunteers, I started an after-school Science Exploration and Discovery Club. Through this activity I have seen firsthand how effective experiential learning can be in developing the interest in and the joys of learning. This past year I extended the program to the Comstock Middle School. I want to assure Comstock Public Schools are a major player in K-12 education in this region.
SCHREINER
We have made some great strides as a school district over the past 2 years and I have enjoyed being a part of that process. There is still much to do related to student and district growth. I would like to continue to be an active part of that process.
VAN GOEYE
Running for re-election as a write in candidate. I wish to continue service to promote and move this excellent District forward for the advancement of the community.
HECKEMA-BROWN
Being a graduate of Comstock High School, I feel passionate about giving back to the school district and making a difference. My child attends elementary school in Comstock and is our fourth family generation to go to Comstock. I want to volunteer my time to research and collaborate issues and opportunities to make the best-informed choices. All decisions need to be made with integrity, transparency, and always keeping the children at the core. Being a proud student at Comstock Schools does not start and stop within the walls of the schools; the pride should overflow into the community.
SCHOLLY
I am dedicated to the Comstock district. I told former superintendent Bob Hamet when I was hired that I would support the district with my presence and my presents. I have worked on several committees and programs for the district. I bleed Comstock Blue. My Jeep is even Comstock Blue!
If elected, what would be your top 3 priorities?
AMOS
If elected I will continue to use my experience and common sense to move in a direction that best serves students and their families. I have been very supportive of the Leader In Me program. It has been very successful and I would like it fully implemented in our entire school district. I am also very supportive of the School Model. The School Model is based on customer service standards. I believe good customer service is the basis for everything in our schools. The families and their children are our customers and giving good customer service is an important part of a thriving school district. As a school board trustee I am also charged with fudiciary responsibilities and oversight of and proper allocation of resources. I want to get the most "bang for the buck.".
If elected I will continue to use my experience and common sense to move in a direction that best supports students and their families.
That resources for academic as well as vocational offerings are available to all students in Comstock Public Schools.
My vision for Comstock Public Schools is to be the "go to district" for education.
HATHAWAY
As a trustee I want to 1) assure the proper application of resources to provide Comstock students with the breadth and depth of opportunities necessary to achieve academic and lifetime success. This must be done for all areas including the academics, the arts and sports. 2) strengthen and broaden our academic offerings to assure all Comstock graduates can successfully achieve and complete further/ higher education whether it be in skills training or Bachelor's and advanced college degrees. The research is clear that success in those educational pursuits is highly dependent on a quality K-12 educational experience 3) use my background, experience and vision to help develop and implement facilities concepts that provide for the best possible learning experiences for our children while being fiscally responsible with this community's bond money. All three of my priorities will directly address the need to be a school system of first choice which is needed to stabilize and increase our current enrollment and assure we have an independent school system serving our students well into the future.
SCHREINER
1) To ensure that our administrators and teachers have all the needed resources to continue to challenge and educate our students.
2) To continue to assist in planning for our ongoing bond initiatives that are improving the look and function of our school building
3) to continue to play a small part in constructing and building the new culture we are trying to build within our school district and community
VAN GOEYE
I see the the top three priorities of district being the following;
1) Right sizing the the district and facilities to best serve our students without sacrificing programs and the quality of them.
2) Continue to advance The College and Career Academy by promoting a heavier advancement of careers and placement into the trades industry.
3) Facilitation of a study with the district, parents and community members to investigate the condition of our buildings and potentially arrive and a plan and procedure, to bring our facilities ready for all future students needs.
HECKEMA-BROWN
If I am elected, my top three priorities are;
1. to continue to make facilities updates to preserve and enhance school buildings while maintaining the integrity of the budget
2. to oversee and support decisions to make curriculum improvements and additions brought forth by Dr. Thoenes at a pace that keeps the school's financial soundness
3. create a better communication program to help students and parents understand the curriculum opportunities to set the children up for success throughout their Comstock School education as well as after graduation
SCHOLLY
1. Support the new superintendent. I have met Dr. Thoenes several times and I am impressed with him and changes he has already made in the district.
2. Continue to be a spokesperson for teachers and staff in the district.
3. Be available to promote and enhance our schools to others in the community. We are a great district with many positive programs going on.