Tecumseh School Board hosts public forum for candidates

By DEB WUETHRICH

Tecumseh School Board held a Meet the Candidates night on Monday, March 24, at 6 p.m. just prior to its regular board meeting. Three trustees will not be seeking reelection. They are: Matt Oren, Jody Manes, who are vacating two-year posts, and Mark Wolfe, who was serving out a three-year seat.

Candidates Karen Januszek and Kevin Packard are seeking the four-year posts and Jason Sines has filed as a write-in candidate. Superintendent Mike McAran served as moderator and asked each candidate a series of questions. The following constitutes only a portion of comments provided by each prospective board member.

Karen Januszek worked as a business educator for 32 years and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Michigan University. Her husband, Bob, is also a retired teacher. Januszek said that one daughter, now a medical student at Michigan State University, graduated from Tecumseh High School in 2002. Januszek also has a grown step-daughter. Januszek also works part time as a Donor Services and Information System Coordinator for the Lenawee Community Fund.

She decided to run for the board because she views Tecumseh Public Schools as a great school district. “I think we have the best district in the county and it’s a great privilege to be on the board to oversee the decisions of this district,” she said. Januszek noted that board members need to work together as a team and also to look to school administrators for getting information in order to make decisions. As to working with parents, she said, “I feel I will be a good listener,” and invites people to contact her.

Among priorities for the district, Januszek lists keeping quality education as a mainstay and trying to do it within the projected budget. She sees money and a new curriculum mandated by the state as top issues facing the district. Januszek said she believes that she would bring her perspective as a former educator to the board, and, along with attending board meetings, has familiarized herself with the roles and responsibilities of a board member through online research by visiting sites such as the Michigan Association of School Boards.

When asked how she might handle being in the minority or majority of an issue while conducting business at a public meeting, Januszek stated it was important to have all the facts in hand before a decision is made. “I’m of the opinion you have to have done your homework on the issue and make your decision based on the facts,” she said. “I would not be afraid to express my opinion, but also once a decision is made, I would support that decision.”

Regarding budget cuts that might be necessary due to the economic forecast, Januszek said it’s hard to pick an area without having the facts, such as salaries and benefits, but that the district did need to keep something else in mind. “We have to look at what programs bring students to Tecumseh and keep them and maintain that competitive edge and look to what makes people want to come here,” she said.

Januszek said she has been attending meetings regarding the bond issue and has learned a lot, coupled with a recent mailing of an informational brochure. “I think a lot of people wan to learn the facts,” she said, noting that the mailing was a good way to help do that. “If we want to keep Tecumseh as the school to come to, I think it’s important that the proposals pass,” she said.

Kevin Packard works in Ann Arbor for a graphic communication company and said he has lived in Tecumseh for 10 years. He and his wife have two sons, one who attends Tecumseh Acres and one who attends Tecumseh Middle School. He said he decided to run for the school board due to his interest in his children’s academic careers and what affects them. Packard also said he once brought an issue before the board and through that process became active on a committee involving school matters.

He said another motivating factor was his observation of an issue involving a middle school teacher and how parents filled the board room during the hearing stages of that issue, with some demanding that certain board members should step down. Packard said it occurred to him that individuals who are not willing to step up and fill such positions as school board seats have little standing to complain.

“I tend to believe if you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem,” he said.  He said he knows being a school board member will involve a learning curve, and believes that he has picked up a good deal of experience during interactions with education staff and administrators and other parents, and said it is interesting to hear all sides. “In the end we need to do the best thing for the students,” he said.

Packard lists improving communication across all channels as an important priority for him as a board member. “There is a craving for communication about what’s going on and why is this happening across the board,” he said. “I’ve seen it over and over again where there are issues that could have been addressed simply with better communication and a better understanding of expectations.”

Packard has sought out online resources, attended meetings and became involved with the schools through committee work. He said he also would bring his experience as a businessman working with a small but growing business. “One thing I bring is this: I work in a highly technical industry, and I can’t do it all myself, so I would bring my ability to glean information from others who have expertise in those areas in order to make decisions,” he said. “It’s not a matter of being right all the time,” he said, “it’s a matter of finding consensus while respecting the other’s position.”

Regarding a question involving potential cuts, Packard said he would be guided by the district’s long term goals. “You have to have targets, something in sight to keep swimming toward and that guides you fundamentally,” he said. “Beyond that, it’s responding to the current situation.” He said he would make the best decision he could for the best reasons.

While Packard said he does not believe the bond proposal is perfect, he knows that it is important to maintain facilities and the school’s infrastructure while thinking long term. “People will vote for or against it and it will pass or fail,” he said. “I don’t hold anything against people who feel differently than I do, people willing to get involved with the consequences.”

Jason Sines said his parents were educators, he married an educator, and has been around education all his life. He and his wife have three children, two at Patterson Elementary and one a preschooler. Sines is a school psychologist for the Lenawee Intermediate School District and holds a graduate degree from the University of Memphis. The family purchased its first home in Tecumseh in 2001.

Sines said through his work, he has been experiencing the variety of Lenawee School districts, and believes he could bring educational experience to the position, including knowledge of trends and studies affecting academics. He said he once worked as a volunteer on a crisis hotline, and now that his children are getting older, wanted to return to some kind of public service. “Being in education, I thought this might be the best opportunity and I have kids in school and ideas I’d like to further evolve with the district,” he said.

Sines said a special area of interest is the need for schools to make Annual Yearly Progress (AYP). “There is going to be a point in time that at risk children may become a big focus,” said Sines. “I hope I can bring some of my background and knowledge as a school psychologist into these situations.” He said he is a “best-practice oriented” person and keeps himself informed on current issues and research.

Among top priorities, Sines lists the AYP issue, and said that it will be important for the district to continue to take steps toward early intervention. He sees academics as a high priority, along with attention to the school’s budget. Sines has gathered information about the board’s operation through attending meetings, the local newspapers and websites and said it’s important to keep up with the issues.

Sines acknowledged that when working on a school board, there aren’t always going to be clear answers. “We’re all adults. As long as we share our opinions honestly it will come down to a vote. The democratic process works.”

When asked about the current bond proposals, Sines said one thing he was proud to learn about was a parent initiative involving making calls to get the information out there. “I’m not a construction expert,” Sines said. “But I know if we want to keep good buildings and good schools, we need to have these bonds passed to keep our schools going.” He also said that he believes Tecumseh is doing a lot of great things. “We need to start planning for the future because there are a lot of changes coming on for education.”

The school board election, and voting for two bond proposals, will take place on May 6, 2008 at the Tecumseh Community Center between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.