We the People: Public School Candidates

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, City of Kentwood, City of Wyoming, , , ,

WKTV Staff

joanne@wktv.org

 

All five public school districts in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas have school board elections on Nov. 6. Of those districts, only two have contested races, Godwin Heights and Wyoming. School board elections will be towards the end of the ballot.

 

 

Godfrey-Lee Public Schools

There are two candidates seeking six-year terms, which are incumbents Eric Mockerman and Jacklyn Hernandez. Josephine Coleman was appointed by the board in May to fill a seat vacated by Rebecca Kibbe until the election. Coleman is seeking to fill the remainder of that seat’s term, which ends in 2022. All of these candidates are running unopposed.

 

 

Godwin Heights Public Schools

There are four candidates seeking to fill three seats on the Godwin Heights Public Schools Board of Education. These seats are all six-year terms. Two of the candidates are incumbents, David Drake, who was elected in 2013, and Richard Hamilton, Jr., who was elected in 2017. There are two challengers, Joseph Januska and David Rodriguez. All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.

 

https://youtu.be/WanUWhge64c

 

Joseph Januszka – Candidate

 

Occupation: Retired

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the Godwin Heights Public Schools Board of Education?

My interest in the schools and what I have been seeing has been growing the past 11 years. I owned and ran a small business which I believe gave me great insight into financial aspects of doing this. I believe this strong financial background will help me analyze and make decisions on the budgeting and spending that the school board oversees in the district.  

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

I am a father and grandfather to five beautiful grandchildren. The youth of today is the future of our country. Education can not be wasted. Students today – leaders tomorrow. Our children need to learn the true history of our country, both the good and the bad, while also learning to respect it as well as everyone they encounter throughout their lives. They need to learn to live by rules and laws everyone of us are required to. I believe all this will help our students to learn and live side by side with their peers.

 

 

Kelloggsville Public Schools

For Kelloggsville Public Schools, incumbents Jane Ward and Donald Scott are seeking re-election to the board. The two spots each are for six-years. The candidates are running unopposed.

 

The district is also seeking a $19.2 million bond issue. The bond would be a continuation of the current bond. The current millage rate is 7.32. The issue will appear at the bottom of the ballot and is part of a long-term plan to update and modernize the district’s elementary schools, according to school officials. The bond cannot exceed 30 years.

 

 

Kentwood Public Schools

There are three seats, all four-year terms, up for the Kentwood Public Schools Board of Education. Three incumbents, all running unopposed, are seeking re-election to those seats: Pete Battey, Sylvia A. James, and James Lewis Jr.

 

 

Wyoming Public Schools

For the Wyoming Public Schools, there are two six-year board seats with three candidates running, non of whom are incumbents. The candidates are Adriana Almanza, Brian D. Jirous, and Jennifer Lewis. All candidates were contacted and invited to participate in sharing their message to the voters.

 

https://youtu.be/K-IyscCHQSE

 

Brian Jirous – Candidate

 

Occupation: AT&T Mobility Technician

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education?
I decided to run for the school board to be able to help involve the community as a whole.  I would like to be a voice for the community on the school board by bringing their issues to the board so they can be addressed.  I would like to see more people attend the school board meetings and I think by having an open line of communication we can involve more people.

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?
The main issue I will focus on is community involvement.  I believe community involvement is the one thing that can help this district grow to be even better then it is now.  The more people we can communicate with whether it is simply answering questions timely or getting them volunteer opportunities to connect with other families it will build a stronger district.  I have started working on thie already by developing the Wyoming Public Schools Community facebook page but I would also like to set up round table discussions to help resolve other issues that may come up as well.

 

https://youtu.be/yt8PtTMVXJo

 

Jennifer Lewis – Candidate

Occupation: AT&T Mobility Technician

 

Why did you decide to seek election to the Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education?
I’ve wanted to run for many years. The timing is just right. I have the time to focus on our Wyoming kids.

 

If elected, what issues do you want to focus on and why?

Many residents may remember me from when I was campaigning for the dedicated millage for our schools. The community invested in our schools and children by passing that millage. That dedicated millage plan is a good plan and I want to make sure that the plan is well executed. I also want our kids to be successful and I want to be a part of helping them to achieve that. 

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