Six of eight school board candidates participate in forum

Six of the eight candidates in the Nov. 8 election for Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education participated in the League of Women Voters public forum Sept. 21 at Belleville High School.
Current school board members Brent Mikulski and Kelly Owen, who are seeking reelection, did not attend the forum, but sent one-minute opening statements which were read by League member Virginia Belinski after the other candidates had given their opening statements.
Mikulski’s statement said his mother had died and family was celebrating her life that evening, so he could not attend the forum. Owen said could not attend, but gave no reason.
Lots were drawn before the hour-long forum began to determine where the participating candidates would sit at the table in the Belleville High School Commons.
From left were Darlene Loyer Gerick, Victor DeLibera, Simone Pinter, David Peer, Keith Johnston, and Susan Featheringill.
Moderator Paula Bowman, vice president of the Northwest Wayne County League of Women Voters, read nine questions presented in writing by members of the audience and screened to make sure they were not repetitive and made no attacks.
Each candidate answered each question, rotating the order so that a different one spoke first after each question. At the end everyone gave a closing statement, with Gerick, DeLibera, Pinter and Featheringill indicating they were on a slate and asking voters to elect them together.
Former board member Peer said he decided to run for the board after former board member Johnston suggested they run together.
Questions included what each would do differently than the present board; if they supported returning to Robert’s Rules of Order for board meetings; how to restore trust and transparency to the school board; whether former School Supt. Michael Van Tassel should continue to be used as a consultant; how to get more minorities in school leadership; what would you do if you start to notice a mass exodus of teachers; improving teacher evaluation process; if the budget is tight would you eliminate art, music, library, and gym; and what do you perceive to be the role of the school board.
All the candidates present agreed that the district did not need former Supt. Van Tassel as a paid consultant, which was part of his separation agreement.
Peer said a simple, “No,” and Johnston said he wasn’t needed.
Featheringill said it would be detrimental to the new superintendent to have the old superintendent coming in the back door when he isn’t needed.
Gerick said there was no reason to have him involved and De Libera said he didn’t know what the contract said.
Pinter said there was absolutely no reason to have the former superintendent involved. “He should have no say-so in this district. We’ve lost too many good teachers … Let him go on his way.”
The meeting was recorded and will be put on the League’s web site at www.lwvnorthwestwayne.org. Also, candidates have been invited to take part in the online voter guide that also will be printed out and be distributed at the Belleville Area District Library.