Ann Arbor school board race to be uncontested in November election
The five Ann Arbor school board members up for election in November will face no opposition.
The five current board members - Susan Baskett, Simone Lightfoot, Deb Mexicotte, Christine Stead and Andy Thomas - were the only people to file papers by the filing deadline, which was 4 p.m. today.
It’s the first time in years five seats have been open at the same time on the board. It happened because three members - Helen Gates-Bryant, Randy Friedman and Adam Hollier - resigned last school year. Stead, Lightfoot and Thomas were appointed to fill the terms.
Each time the board had to fill terms, several people applied for the vacancy. None of those people filed for the fall election.
The Ann Arbor school board will be on a crowded ballot. In addition to races coming out of the August primaries, a number of candidates for other seats - mostly school boards - had until today to file.
Here’s the list of today's filings:
54 District - State House
David Palmer, who listed himself as an independent, and Clifford McKinney, who listed himself as from the U.S. Taxpayers Party, filed today. They will face Democrat David Rutledge and Republican Richard Deitering.
Ann Arbor city mayor
Steve Bean filed as an independent in the race. He’ll face Democrat John Hieftje.
Ann Arbor City Council
In Ward 2, Emily Salvette filed as a libertarian. She will face Democrat Tony Derezinski.
In Ward 5, Newcombe Clark filed with no party listed. He will face Republican John Floyd and Democrat Carsten Hohnke.
Augusta Township trustee
David McMahon filed as a Green Party candidate.
Saline City Council
David Rhoads, Brian Marl, James Roth and Dean Benjamin Girdoor all filed for seats. Incumbent Gretchen Driskell was the only one to file for the mayor’s seat.
Ypsilanti City Charter Commission
John Gawlas, William Fennel, Karen Valvo, James Hawkins and Cheryl Farmer all filed to run for the Ypsilanti City Charter Commission.
Washtenaw Community College trustee
William Campbell, Stephen Gill and Pamela Horiszeny were the three to file for positions on the Washtenaw Community College Board of Trustees.
Lincoln school board
Yoline Williams and Gregory Gurka both filed for a partial two-year term.
Saline school board
Todd Carter and Paul Hynek were the only people to file for the one open seat.
Willow Run school board
Brenda Meadows, Sheri Washington, Don Garrett Jr. and Kristine Thomas all filed for seats.
Whitmore Lake school board
James Kritzman, Jeffrey Vega, Kristen Milstone, Rita LaForest and Audrey Slagle all filed for seats.
Ypsilanti school board
Eric Temple, Ellen Champagne, David Bates and Linda Horne all filed for election.
Ann Arbor District Library board
Edward Surovell, Nancy Kaplan, Vivienne Armentrout, Lyn Davidge, Barbara Murphy, Jan Neuman and Carola Stearns all filed.
Ypsilanti District Library board
Suzanne Gray, Marsha Krogcil, Frances Doe, Linda Gurka and Angela Maloney all filed for the four seats up for election.
Comments
sbbuilder
Sat, Aug 14, 2010 : 12:26 p.m.
Ghost You don't give up, do you? You sniped at me for allegedly doing nothing but sitting in the cheap seats. So, I answered with a few facts about my involvement with my kids' education. Then, you snipe again for me 'advertising' my involvement. Just a little passive/aggressive going on here? How about your involvement? Do you ever climb down from the cheap seats? I care deeply about education. I put both my money and my time on the line for my kids, and the kids of others. I want our children to excel, and to be competitive on a worldwide basis. I hate excuses, and I see the Unions as the sigle biggest barrier to real overhaul of our educational system.
uawisok
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 11:12 a.m.
oh yeah...those evil unions are the basis of all bad with our schools and our country..LOL!!! These myopic views do little to advance truth or society. Why don't you just say what you really mean, "I don't like the middle class and I want to dictate what I am willing to pay my public servants slaves, who are they to seek a living wage while educating my children??
Steve Norton, MIPFS
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 11:07 a.m.
I wouldn't want to call anyone in particular out, because the school board is a substantial time commitment with virtually no pay and not a lot of thanks. But it is important, since the school board serves as the voice of the people in running our schools. The Superintendent, and everyone who eventually reports to him/her, works for the board and is accountable to these representatives of the people. I do wish that more people paid attention to school board races, and we will have the opportunity to help that along this November. However, with all the harsh criticism of the schools here and elsewhere, I am surprised that no one else even filed to run. Perhaps that's an indication that the angry sentiments expressed in these forums are not widely shared in the community?
Jay Allen
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 10:47 a.m.
@erm's ghost. I am sorry that I missed the thread where there was a vote. A vote in which obviously hoisted you onto the throne. First, I am in Saline. I do not have children in the AA School district. However, your elitist remarks are such that I have a few thoughts. I love the way you contradict yourself. Your first paragraph nails the subject. People often do not run for a position when there is no pay. And at this time with all of the cutbacks within our school's budget, why would a person take a position just to be chastised? You hit it right on it. Then you turn and stab others for not running. People with opinions and views that are obviously different from your own. I find that within itself very funny. You are on here daily with your under handed, snide remarks. Allow me to ask, what office do you hold or did you run for? Oh that's right, I was chastised about a month ago because I made a comment about you not reading (thoroughly) a post. I was then told that many folks that I told to READ the ACTUAL thread were Administrators or Professors at the U of M. By your underhanded comment about "teacher haters", my guess you are a Professor. If so, then YOU do not have a dog in the fight, so why even post? Even here in Saline were tensions are high about the teachers and the union, I do not have an issue with any teacher, per se`. Well, just the one or two with the holier than thou attitude that think they do not need a copay as it pertains to insurance. But it is the UNION that is the problem here in Saline and specifically the person in charge is the issue. Lastly, just because any of us have opinion whether you agree or not and irregardless if we hold a position on an elected board, this does not preclude us from being active or helpful within our schools. I know what I have done for Saline and I know the gratitude shown towards me. I do not need a school board seat to feel important or for sure to meet your approval. Heck, if I were on the school board, the teachers union leader would be in serious trouble! LOL
Barb
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 10:08 a.m.
Amen, @ERM Ghost, Amen. Talk (type?) is cheap.
demistify
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 9:18 a.m.
The Ann Arbor School Board had 3 vacancies to fill; 9 people applied. Yet none of those not hand-picked by the Board are filing (One of them posted here that he is still interested but will not buck the establishment). That does not prove that the Board is doing a wonderful job. It just shows that it is backed by a political machine that deters competition. This impression is reinforced by the posts here that preemptively attack potential challengers and insinuate base motives to the critics.
InsideTheHall
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 8:37 a.m.
Ed How is the view from the mountain top? I hear the land is cheap up there.
Jeff Gaynor
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 8:16 a.m.
Jack - thanks for the informative, and generous, comment; very refreshing.
sbbuilder
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 7:49 a.m.
Ghost I currently sit on two councils at the school where my two older kids attend. But, that is a private school, so you may think that doesn't count. I also have a business to run. I'm also on the PTO of a second school. To add a fourth position would be prohibitive. So, you see, I am active in my kids' education. Cheap seats, my eye. For the record, I am not a 'teacher basher'. Specifically, I am a wholehearted 'union basher'. Here is not the place to enumerate the differences.
Elizabeth Nelson
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 7:47 a.m.
A while back (six months, maybe) there was fear that the same 'interests' that funded the anti-millage campaign would back a slate of opposing candidates for the school board. This was based on the assumption that the anti-millage people had genuine interest in influencing how the schools were run (this is what they claimed, right?). The lack of candidates right now does show that their interest was purely financial-- that interest group was satisfied so long as the school didn't actually get the money (i.e. WHEW, no one raised my taxes!). Now why did they waste everyone's time with FOIA requests and making believe that they had genuine interest in 'fixing' the schools? I'm sure the current school board is relieved (as the whole community should be, really) but it is irritating to know that if you throw enough money behind a single issue (don't raise my taxes!) you can dupe the public into voting for it, then just walk away from the mess you made. I don't WANT those people anywhere near a place of power, but they certainly PRETENDED that there was a big problem they wanted to address. HA. I guess "I like to keep my money, screw the schools" isn't as catchy as "Stop irresponsible school spending" (or whatever ridiculous claim they made...).
Barb
Wed, Aug 11, 2010 : 12:08 a.m.
A2 City Councilperson Margie Teall represents Ward 4, not Ward 2.
Jack Panitch
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 10:09 p.m.
"Each time the board had to fill terms, several people applied for the vacancy. None of those people filed for the fall election." Well, actually, three of the vacancy applicants filed for the fall election: Trustees Lightfoot, Stead and Thomas. Let's see if I can get this right: folks who applied to fill the vacancy and did not file election papers include Kim Lijana, Elizabeth Nelson, Victoria Haviland, Jeff Sabatini, Noah Hurwitz, Margy Long, James Corey, Susan Collet and me. I can only speak for myself. Had I been selected to fill one of the openings, I would have followed through and filed election papers to continue my service. However, I believe the Board chose well in filling each opening: Trustees Lightfoot, Stead and Thomas were all excellent candidates. I felt it was important not to run against anyone I felt represented me and my family well already and wanted to continue in the job. If a gap had developed, I would have filed (and I kept in close touch with the election division up until the deadline). I have followed this Board closely over the events of the past year, and I believe all the current trustees to be talented, clear-thinking, selfless individuals dedicated to public service. I look forward to providing what support I can in the coming year.
David Jesse
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 8:37 p.m.
@Paul: We've made the change. Sorry for the confusion.
Paul Hynek
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 8:34 p.m.
I am not running in Lincoln, Saline is correct.
aturid
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 6:43 p.m.
Should be State District 54, not U.S.
Chris
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 6:02 p.m.
It's a huge time commitment and I think that dissuades most people from running. I do agree that it's unfortunate. Parents of kids in the district are probably too busy being parents to kids in the district to be able to have the time available to serve on the board without sacrificing jobs/time with families/etc. I was told it's approximately a 10 hour/week commitment, with some weeks requiring more time and some weeks less.
Brad
Tue, Aug 10, 2010 : 5:37 p.m.
I'm sorry, that's just seems sad in a city that allegedly places a very high value on education and seems to be willing to pay a lot for it. Is the current board that good?