Amy Pearce, 45, of 49092 Peninsular Dr., Van Buren Township, has lived in the school district for 13 years.
She is running for a four-year position on the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education, where three seats are open. The Independent sent out questionnaires to candidates in the Nov. 6 election and below are Pearce’s responses.
Pearce is married to Douglas, an airline pilot at Kalitta Air, LLC. They have three daughters: Taylor, a Belleville High School graduate and recent graduate of Brown University with a degree in International Relations; Nicole, a BHS graduate and current junior at the University of Michigan, majoring in Microbiology; and Addie, a sixth grader at Owen Intermediate School.
Pearce is a Corporate Event Producer with Underwood Event, LLC.
She was educated at: Brookfield Central High School (Wisconsin), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (Wisconsin), and Marquette University (Wisconsin).
She has never been appointed to public office and this is her first bid for elective office.
“I have previously served on the Van Buren Public Schools Education Foundation, and I still organize their largest fundraiser each year – The Sunset Celebration,” Pearce said. “I also served on the Belleville Band Boosters for six years and still remain very active in the band program within our district. I am currently the PTO President at Owen Intermediate School, where I have focused on implementing an anti-bullying campaign, engaging the community and staff in school beautification, and developing collaborative workspaces for students. In my free time, I enjoy traveling with my family as much as our schedules allow,” she said.
Why are you running for this office?
“My volunteer work within the Van Buren Public Schools has shown me what a difference one person can make. Whether it be spreading mulch on a nature trail at the middle school, or volunteering at an elementary book fair, every moment we give to our students has an exponential benefit. Getting to know our educators and listening to what is important to them has enlightened me greatly, as well. My goal now is to have a positive impact on as many students and staff as possible by listening to their needs and introducing new collaborative ideas. We cannot be afraid of change, especially when it directly benefits our students.”
Do you have any goals once you are elected?
My goals include implementing appropriate teacher incentives to improve retention and help boost recruitment, improving our marketing plan to shine a bright light on our district’s best qualities, and encouraging greater collaboration between teachers and administration to ensure we are providing appropriate services for students in all levels of learning. I am very excited to take my volunteer experience within the district and build on it in with my future peers on the Board of Education.”
Editor’s Note: The Independent did not receive a completed questionnaire from Amy Pearce in time to be included in last week’s listing of candidates. She said she completed it and mailed it back to the Independent the day after receiving it, but the Independent did not receive her questionnaire. The above are her answers to the questions.
Also running for four years on the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education are incumbent Darlene Loyer Gerick and newcomers Dionne Falconer and Calvin H. Hawkins.