April 14 was an evening of anticipated information. The League of Women Voters and the Clarkston High School PTA joined together to host a ‘School Board Candidates? night.
The evening gave those running for school board seats a chance to introduce themselves.
Candidates included: Barry Bomier, running for a 2-year term; Stephen Hyer, running for a 4-year term; David Lohmeier, running for a 4-year term; Robin Matczak, running for a 2-year term; Barbara Seiltz, running for a 2-year term; and Ronald Sullivan, running for a 4-year term. Unfortunately, Robin Matczak was unable to attend due to driving conditions; however, her opening statement was read by Emory Bauer, LWV. Look in next week’s issue for candidates responses to The Clarkston News? questionnaire.
The candidates were allowed two minutes to introduce themselves to the audience before the question and answer portion.
Questions came from the audience, and the candidates had a one-minute time limit for answers to each question:
Q. Do you think the district uses their revenues properly?
‘Bomier ? ‘Yes. I’m really impressed with what the board has done. We are in much better financial situation than many of our neighboring districts.?
‘Seiltz ? ‘The board should be commended on cutting programs and not hurting students directly.?
‘Hyer ? ‘Yes. All the money we can afford ends up in the classroom?
‘Lohmeier ? ‘Yes. I think the schools have done a great job of cutting.?
‘Sullivan ? ‘We have done an excellent job. Not only do we look at cuts, but also how to improve programs.?
Q. How many board meetings have you attended since declaring candidacy?
‘Hyer ? ‘I have attended all of them.?
‘Sullivan ? ‘I have attended all. I have only missed two meetings in the last 8 years.?
‘Lohmeier ? ‘I have not been able to attend one, but I have kept on top of the information through the web and board packets.?
‘Seiltz ? ‘I have attended them all.?
‘Bomier ? ‘I have only missed one, and it was job related.?
Q. What direction do you think the district should go as far as open enrollment or schools of choice for nonresidents?
‘Lohmeier ? ‘I’m open to the idea of school of choice.?
‘Seiltz ? ‘We should take care of the Clarkston people first.?
‘Bomier ? ‘I think we need to have a liberal approach to that.?
‘Hyer ? ‘We should take care of our students first, but we are looking into open programs for more students to participate in. It’s important to be careful because once you add students they are here.?
‘Sullivan ? ‘I would say no because we are already dealing with district growth.?
Q. Are you aware of HB 55 & 56, and what is your opinion?
‘Seiltz ? ‘No.?
‘Sullivan ? ‘I haven’t seen enough detail to make a decision on it.?
‘Hyer ? ‘I think our teachers and employees deserve great health coverage.?
‘Lohmeier ? ‘Health care is not just a school problem. I think it’s going to take a lot of cooperation.?
‘Bomier ? ‘Yes, and I think it’s an important issue.?
Q. How do you stand with building a new elementary school in Clarkston?
‘Bomier ? ‘We are not there yet, but maybe in the future.?
‘Lohmeier ? ‘It is absolutely critical to keep track of growth, and to watch development and understand the enrollment in the future.?
‘Seiltz ? ‘We will build when the time is right. Not before and not too late.?
‘Sullivan ? ‘We will continue to work with townships to keep looking at projections so we are ready when we need it.?
‘Hyer ? ‘Not right now. We do need to look at projections of students in the next 5 years, and we need to be sure it’s a sound decision.?
Q. How does the non-homestead millage affect school funding? How do you feel about the strategy the district has used in regards to non-homestead?
‘Hyer ? ‘It’s important to educate and communicate with the public and help them understand.?
‘Seiltz ? ‘We need to help them understand the importance of non-homestead renewal.?
‘Sullivan ? ‘As stated, it’s a tax against community and nonresidential properties. If we don’t keep it at 18 percent we lose funds for the district.?
‘Lohmeier ? ‘I think it’s misunderstood. The board and school district has challenges to help people understand what needs to be done.?
‘Bomier ? ‘It’s so critical. We can’t afford to lose it.?
Q. If you feel strongly about an issue, do you think you should work with the board or alone?
? Lohmeier ? ‘It’s important to work as a team, decisions should be reached in a mutual way.?
? Seiltz ? ‘It’s important people know how we feel, but still go along with the decision even if it’s not mine.?
? Sullivan ? ‘We have not always agreed, but once a decision has been made the board has to support it.?
‘Hyer ? ‘If I vote no and seven others vote yes, I have to support their decision.?
‘Bomier ? ‘Very little is gained without the respect of your fellow board members.?
Q. Lesson learned with recent redistricting?
‘Seiltz ? ‘I learned that we have very active parents.?
‘Sullivan ? ‘I think we approached it well, but there is always room for improvement.?
‘Bomier ? ‘I am pleased that we had parents that were impacted.?
‘Hyer ? ‘I learned how to make a difficult decision.?
‘Lohmeier ? ‘Not a big fan, but we need to move on. I learned that the board could do better dealing with parents? questions.?
In closing, the candidates each had a one-minute time limit to explain why they should win their selected seat.