Age
48
Occupation / Current Position
School Librarian
Education
B.S. in Education with certification in English and Mathematics from Central Michigan University, Master's in Education with an emphasis in school library/media from Grand Valley State University.
Experience & Qualifications
I have been employed in public schools for over twenty years. I also currently serve as a trustee on the public library board and have held leadership positions in various professional, community, and church organizations.
I have been employed in public schools for over 20 years. I deeply understand the struggles that educators face, and the wildly disruptive changes that have occurred in education in the past 10-15 years. At the same time, I understand the realities of school finance, the difficult decisions that sometimes must be made, and much of education law and politics.
My main priorities would be to develop policies to use educational technology wisely, and as a tool that enhances education, and does not distract. I would work strategically to develop a plan to restore library services to the schools. I would also like to investigate ways to attract and retain talented staff members, and, of course, continue to live within our means and maintain fiscal responsibility.
Declining enrollment, teacher/staff retention, discernment of wise use of technology in the schools, and behavioral concerns among our youngest learners.
My main priority is to maintain sustainable programming and to live within our means. Declining enrollment and uncertainty in state budgeting are unfortunately a reality for our public schools, and these factors can cause uncertainty and disruption. Both academics and extracurricular activities are vital for our students, as is paying our staff fairly.
Age
57
Occupation / Current Position
Retired law enforcement / Currently building/remodeling
Education
Ferris State University
Experience & Qualifications
Huband for 28 years. Father for 19 years. Public servant for 30 years. Willing to help our students, support our staff, and honor our community.
I spent 30 years in service to others. This is an additional opportunity to serve the families of our community. For 20 of my 23 year career, I instructed, coached, and mentored others. I have planned and executed multiple exercises involving multiple people within the confines of a budget or grant parameters. I was asked to consider serving as a board member and am willing to accept the challenge if so chosen by our community.
Reading would seem to be a critical focus from the very beginning. Interpretation of the written word can make everything else easier and expedite other learning. Even the screen on an electronic device screen needs to be read.
Closer scrutiny of grade eligibility before participating in extracurricular activities may motivate some to work more diligently.
Celebrating the achievements of AP and Honors class participants and our high test score results may encourage others to try it out for themselves. Expand the offerings, announce the results, and remind how the hard work now can help greatly during the college experience.
Increasing peer assistance would also seem to be a great benefit for all ages. Help each other.
Budget, attendance, electronic saturation, lack of home or family student support.
It is my understanding that our district currently maintains a close to balanced budget. At least per projections at the beginning of the fiscal year. Expenses may sometimes exceed income, but those should be the exception and not the rule. Excesses should be closely monitored and held to a minimum whenever possible. Like within our own homes, it is a great practice to try and maintain a safety margin for unexpected happenings. As a district, we should be setting that example for our students and meeting the disciplined spending expectations of the community.
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Age
46
Occupation / Current Position
Program Director of Disability Support Services (GRCC)
Education
BA Special Education (Calvin University), MA Rehabilitation Counseling (University of Northern Colorado)
Experience & Qualifications
20+ years working in K-12 and Community College environments
I have 20+ years in education across K-12 special education and higher education as Program Director of Disability Support Services at GRCC. I bring expertise in supporting diverse learners, post-secondary readiness, and programs like Early Middle College.
Through leadership at GRCC and the Cedar Springs Education Foundation board, I have hands-on experience in shared governance and managing budgets to meet student and legal priorities.
My background includes a B.A. in Special Education (Calvin University), M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling (Univ. of Northern Colorado), and an Ed Therapy certificate (UC Riverside), grounding my work in learning theory, curriculum design, and effective communication.
To improve student achievement, plans must be shaped by teacher input, as educators directly understand curriculum effectiveness and intervention needs.
Additionally, educational experiences must be diversified across all age groups by providing advanced opportunities for high achievers alongside individualized support for struggling learners. Budgeting, planning, and professional development should actively reflect and value diverse student backgrounds.
Finally, all initiatives must be anchored in data-driven decisions using standardized metrics as constructive planning tools.
Technology: Rapid advances require thoughtful decisions around legal, cultural, and educational shifts to equip students as critical thinkers.
Trends in Education Policy: Changing views on the value and governance of education require proactive leadership to address state student achievement rankings.
Demographic Shifts: Broader population declines and increasing local diversity mean schools must foster inclusive opportunities so Cedar remains the top choice for families.
Leadership Transition: Welcoming a new superintendent in 2027 involves guiding community partnerships and shaping a new strategic plan.
Balancing the district budget must begin with planning that is responsive to data, population trends, and community academic goals. As the strategic plan is reviewed and renewed in the coming years, it needs to directly reflect the evolving needs of the students and community. Each financial decision can then be held against this plan to guide resource allocation. Above all, the budget should prioritize academic staffing, using funds strategically to hire and retain the qualified teachers and support staff who make the plan work.
Age
37
Occupation / Current Position
Teacher & Mama
Education
Master's in both Bilingual Education and Early Childhood Education
Experience & Qualifications
13 years teaching in the public schools, mostly in dual language ECSE; experience running a daycare; mom of a future Red Hawk
I taught in the public schools, in New Mexico and GRPS, for 13 years, mostly in dual language Early Childhood Special Education. As such, I believe deeply in public education for all children. I have two Master's degrees (bilingual education & early childhood education), have experience running a licensed in-home daycare, and am currently teaching an adjunct course at GVSU -- so I'm conversant with the spectrum of education. I'm also a (mostly) SAHM to my fabulous almost 3yo future Red Hawk!
I have less experience in personnel & budget management. However, in Santa Fe I was a board member of Teatro Paraguas as well as a director for the company, which was valuable related work.
We need school libraries! Balanced literacy is key -- phonics are vital, but they won't teach children to want to read and to love to read.
Similarly, we need a well-balanced education that features social studies and science at every grade level (AND for struggling students who miss out because they're in "remediation") -- not just to improve reading & math scores, but because they are essential subjects for our citizenry.
Finally, we are so lucky to have a beautiful rural district with an incredible agricultural program. In every classroom, at every grade level, we should have (special education inclusive) forest- and farm- based teaching. It's healthier for kids AND it improves academic scores.
We need to let teachers teach! Scrap the canned, mandated curricula -- provide them as guides & resources, and nothing more. Many programs are great, but teachers & students flourish when they are allowed to show their creativity and construct learning experiences together.
Extracurriculars take too much time away from families and academics. The number of hours needs to be capped, and practices need to end on time.
Screen time, similarly, needs to be capped in the instructional day and beyond.
Public schools are undermined by funding being diverted to charters and even private (even religious) institutions. Some bad actors try to start culture wars and obscure the truth: we all love our children and all want them to succeed.
I am big into investing into teachers -- paying them well and providing funds for classroom materials and training (self-chosen as well as district-chosen) -- as well as our incredible support staff.
We are so fortunate to have beautiful buildings, and we need to invest in maintenance & upkeep so they stay that way.
I am not a fan of top-heavy districts, or admin that make massive salaries when paraprofessionals cannot pay their bills, or expensive curricula that are tossed out every few years.
Age
44
Occupation / Current Position
Senior Associate Accounting
Education
Associate degree
Experience & Qualifications
Accounting, legal, and former BOE member
I currently work as an accounting associate, I have a degree in paralegal studies, and I have been a school board member for the past four years. I believe the skills I have obtained from all three of these areas will help me be an ideal member of the CSPS school board.
Remove technology and go back to the basics. The use of technology has caused children to rely on it to give them the answers like autocorrect and AI. We should foster the idea of allowing kids to figure things out on their own and rely on memory.
Lack of funding, quality educators, and declining student enrollment.
Cutting wasteful spending and looking for grants to fund education, where we can.
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