Four individuals have filed to run for two seats on the Oxford Area Community Schools Board of Education. Both seats are four-year positions, and all four individuals will be campaigning for both seats.
Following are brief introductions of each candidate:

Lisa Marie Baum, 38, 1088 Somerville Dr., has lived in Oxford since 1996. She and her husband Michael have one daughter, age five.
Baum holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Oakland University. She worked in the office for Suburban Tool, a manufacturing company in Auburn Hills, until 1998, when she made the decision to be a stay at home mom. Baum said she felt staying home to raise her daughter was the most important, and best, decision she made.
Baum said she decided to run for school board so she could be an active part of the her daughter’s school district. She feels her background and psychology and communication abilities will be positive assets to the board.
‘I feel as a school board member I would have a lot to offer,? she explained. ‘I am educated, honest and enjoy people. I am running for the quality of education across the board.?
‘It is an important time to be a school board member with more programs being cut and services for our children eliminated. Parents need to be informed. The Oxford community needs honest and caring individuals that currently have children in the school district and are focused on the children. I think the only way to make positive changes is to get more people on the school board with a variety of backgrounds and actually have children in the schools.?
Baum feels that her biggest contributions to the board will be her ability to listen, her fresh perspective on issues and the contacts she currently has with individuals at all levels of the district.
All in all, Baum believes parental involvement is very important: ‘I would like to see more parental involvement at local school board meetings. People need to be made aware of possible budget cuts in Fall 2004 and how it could affect their child in the Oxford School District.?

Judy Kubina, 41, 4153 Hosner Rd., has lived in Oxford for the past 13 years with her husband Joe. The couple has two children in the district ages 17 and 15.
Kubina holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University in communications and advertising. She works for Accuscript Transcription Services. She’s been a school board member for the past eight years.
‘I’ve learned a lot about the school district and what it’s like to be a board member,? she said. ‘Being able to listen is very important. You learn a lot more than speaking. You represent the community and you need to listen to them.?
Kubina, who currently holds one of the two available positions, decided to run again because of her experience with the board. She is currently holds a level two school board certification with the Michigan School Board Association.
‘I feel that I have enough experience and I’m a valuable asset to the board,? she explained. ‘My strength is definitely being able to listen and being able to apply what I’ve learned from being a board member.?
Kubina had one thing she wants Oxford parents to know: ‘I’m here to protect the curriculum so that it moves forward, that’s what’s important. You’re a student first. I’m always telling my sons, who love athletics, you’re a student athlete. That means your schoolwork comes first.?
‘The curriculum and our staff are definitely the most important things in our district.?

Carol Mitchell-Bliemeister, 49, 5730 Bunny Run, a 9-year Dryden resident, has lived in the Oxford School District for the past 17 years. In fact, she said she moved to the Oxford area for the schools, and still has two children, ages 15 and 12, in the district.
Mitchell-Bliemeister, who has worked for Century 21 Real Estate 217 for the past 15 years and is an associate broker, currently holds the second open board seat. She was appointed to the position in September 2003.
‘I’ve really enjoyed being on the board,? said Mitchell-Bliemeister. ‘I’ve learned a lot.?
After getting a taste for the position, and having run for the board several times in the past, Mitchell-Bliemeister knew she would run for the seat.
‘I think right now we have a really good core for our board and I’d like to stay a part of that,? she explained. ‘Also, since I was appointed, I’d like to be elected this time.?
‘I do have the experience now and I enjoy it. I enjoy making the decisions for our children.?
When considering her strengths for the position, Mitchell-Bliemeister feels that her ability to wear many hats is the most important. She explained how she can ‘take off my parent hat? and ‘put on the one for all the school district.? With this philosophy, she really believes she can look at all situations from both sides in order to make the best decision, even if that decision doesn’t benefit her children.
‘I’ve been told, and I find it to be true, that I’m perceived as a very fair and honest person,? said Mitchell-Bliemeister. ‘Don’t ask me a question if you don’t want to hear the truth.?

Linda Simlar, 45, 1471 Hertford, has lived in Oxford for the past eight years with her husband Michael, and their three children, ages 13, 7 and 5.
Simlar holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Central Michigan University. She co-owns Excell Express, a trucking company that hauls high tech machines for tier-one automotive suppliers.
Simlar said she became interested in running for school board after she attended a few meetings and saw all of the topics and responsibilities involved in the role.
‘I believe I can contribute some insight as well as a fresh eye,? she explained. ‘Education is ever changing and new. It’s good to bring someone new on board who can think outside the box.?
‘A lot of times when there’s a problem, you just stare at it and stare at it. A new eye and fresh perspective can often find a new way. More people with different backgrounds can provide more solutions and ideas.?
Overall though, Simlar believes her job as a school board member would be to assist in providing Oxford area children with the finest education possible.
‘Our children are the most valuable things in our lives and we can’t lose sight of them in the mix of finances and administration,? she explained.
Simlar had just one thing she would make sure to tell every Oxford parent: ‘You’ve got to vote. Like it or not, it’s just a basic right and your part is required to make this country or anything else a success. And that’s what we’re all looking for, success in our lives, our children and our schools.?