Funding, child care, culture at heart of TCAPS race

Nov. 03--TRAVERSE CITY -- Impassioned and polarized views on the future and direction of the area's largest public school district created a heated campaign for the five available Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education seats.

The five seats -- four, 4-year terms and one, 2-year term -- represent a majority for the voting board, with candidates seeing it as an opportunity for positive change or one that could throw the district off its solid course.

Five candidates -- Rhonda Busch, Patricia Henkel, Deyar Jamil, Cathy Meyer-Looze and Erica Moon Mohr -- are running separately but together as part of Team 5 TCAPS.

The group announced its candidacy as professional parents uniting in a marketing campaign for change. Their shared platform includes a pledge to raise TCAPS students achievement in the top 10 of Michigan districts within five years, and to "create a positive district culture with a zero tolerance policy for uncivil behavior."

The last references last year's controversy between district administrators and TCAPS Superintendent Paul Soma, who received a vote of no-confidence from district administrators in February that resulted into an investigation of Soma's relationships and interactions with principals.

That investigation later cleared Soma of any gender-based discrimination but found the superintendent did engage in combative behavior with both male and female principals. Trustees came under fire by some after voting unanimously 7-0 to offer Soma a three-contract and a raise in the midst of the allegations.

Busch described as the controversy as the the "elephant in the room," and said the district must acknowledge it.

Henkel called it a cultural issue on the board.

"We know that it's the board that represents the voice of the community," Henkel said. "We have to show them we have zero tolerance for harassment and bullying."

Current Vice President Sue Kelly, trustee Matt Anderson and retired TCAPS teachers Pam Forton and Jeff Leonhardt have supported each other as independent voices, and also have spoken of the dangers in block, or slate, voting.

Anderson -- who has been on the board for three months -- offered the millage proposal passing, Eastern Elementary School's grand opening and improved and positive-trending test scores as proof of the board's successful trajectory.

"People want to feel like everything is aligned from the top all the way down so we can continue to improve," he said. "Most people feel like we're moving in the right direction, and it'd be a shame if we got off that track and went backwards."

As the only veteran board member running for re-election, Kelly has seen the board through the struggles between Soma and the administrators. She said the job is to support the superintendent now that the investigations have cleared him.

"People keep talking about how we haven't challenged the superintendent," Kelly said. "We've watched. We've observed. Innocent until proven guilty. Oh, innocent. Let's just keep going. How can we support him? That's what the board has been doing."

The board has come under criticism for its tendency to vote unanimously, but Kelly said that consensus-building is part of a trustee's responsibility.

"We have a right to have our own opinion," she said, "But as a general rule, the more consensus building we can have, the calmer the environment is where the executive team is supported, the principals are supported, the teachers are supported, the students are supported, and the board members are educated."

Each member of Team 5 raised $6,959 in campaign funds for a combined $34,795, according to Grand Traverse County reports. Of the independent voices candidates, only Anderson raised enough -- $7,250 -- to file paperwork. The others, including candidate Melissa Hogan, filed waivers, which means they raised less than $1,000 each.

Hogan has not aligned herself with any other candidates. Whatever happens next, the public is sorely in need of an update, she said.

"Can we really move forward when the perception is that it's a hot mess?" Hogan said. "People aren't sure after everything that happened in this last year of where the district is and where it's going. The public really needs an update."

The polarization this race has created has not escaped Meyer-Looze, who said she is hopeful that will change when the new board members begin their term Jan. 1, 2019.

"You have 10 very good candidates, 10 qualified candidates, who I believe do want the best for the kids of TCAPS," she said. "If we can stay focused on that and find effective means of collaborating with each other, then we can absolutely turn this around."

Matt Anderson (four-year term)

Anderson was named to the board in July to replace Jan Geht, who stepped down to take a job in Minnesota. Anderson is the president of Traverse City'sGlobal Marine Insurance and a graduate of Traverse City Central High School.

Anderson believes TCAPS is experiencing its best financial health in 15 years and said he is looking forward to turning some of the focus to enhancing programming within the district to satisfy all learners. He said there is a danger of students getting caught up in an increasing amount of standardized testing that might only measure students on a college track. Increasing social services and counseling for students that focuses on their mental and emotional health is also high atop Anderson's priority list for the district. Anderson said now is the time to invest in those resources.

"We don't want to only prepare them for the test scores and for college, but we also want to be able to make sure we're investing in programming for vocational, technical, career-tech opportunities for kids," he said. "Even those kids that want to join the workforce right out of high school. We have a lot of jobs that need to be filled. If college isn't right for everybody, we need to make sure we're getting all of those layers and preparing kids for life."

Rhonda K. Busch (four-year term)

Busch retired from a career as a TCAPS teacher in 2017 when she finished as a third-grade teacher at Old Mission Elementary School after having taught at Leelanau St. Mary's School and Interlochen Community Elementary School. Busch holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's in education.

Recent cutbacks and price increases to childcare services at TCAPS has concerned Busch, who said parents must be confident the district will provide them services at every level. Busch would also like to see improvements in the English language arts programs and build trust even further with the community.

"There are so many families in our community that are struggling to do the job of three people -- raise a family, provide a living for that family and raise their children. That can't be done if there's not affordable, convenient childcare," she said. "Our little ones are the ones coming up the ranks. We've got to keep them here. We want to continue to grow our student population. We want to keep them in TCAPS. We need to get our district focused on what's important, and that's putting children first."

Pamela Forton (four-year-term)

Forton just retired in July from long career at TCAPS as a teacher. She has also been a curriculum leader and part of the district improvement team, a board member of the PTO, a bus driver, noon aide, coach and volunteer within TCAPS. Forton said she has more knowledge and experience with the district than any of the other candidates.

The disparity in per-pupil state aid concerns Forton. TCAPS sits at the bottom of the pack in Michigan, receiving the lowest amount per student, which is $500 less than the base funding. That results in a loss of nearly $5 million in state funding for the district. Forton said that is "ridiculous."

"A student's education shouldn't depend on where they live, but right now, in this state, that's the way it is," she said. "There's things we need to do for interventions for kids, and without that funding equity we're missing out on millions of dollars every year. That could be going to those interventions. Those two things go hand in hand. We can't do the intervention and supports we need for PreK and early elementary kids without additional funding."

She said she also will advocate for the students coming from a lower socioeconomic background.

Patricia Henkel (four-year term)

Henkel is a University of Michigan graduate who earned her J.D. at Stetson Law School. She moved to Traverse City in 2000 and has two children attending TC Central, one at East Middle School and another at Old Mission Peninsula School. Henkel has served on several boards, including the Traverse City Cooperative Pre-School and the Old Mission Peninsula School PTO.

Henkel said a focus on teaching and learning paired with a strategic plan to make TCAPS a top 10 district in the state is her top goal for the board. She said there is no reason why TCAPS -- with its strong community of students, teachers, parents, principals and leadership -- can't make that a reality. Henkel said the district also needs to find creative solutions to fix the childcare issue. She said she has spoken to parents and heard their stories -- all with a common theme.

"They we're time-strapped. They didn't have the time or resources or ability to communicate their needs. There's an ocean of families that have been heavily impacted by this and have lost trust," she said. "We need to meet the needs of those parents."

Melissa Hogan (four-year term)

Hogan earned her undergraduate degree from Alma College and has a degree in medical science from St. Louis University. She works as a physician's assistant and has a son who attends East Middle School. Hogan volunteers as a basketball and track coach within TCAPS and has worked with teachers as a parent helper in the math and reading programs.

During that time, Hogan said she has seen many different areas of need throughout the schools and said collaboration is a key to the district's success. Hogan said she would like to see TCAPS put a focus on making sure all of the students, not just those going to college, know they are worthwhile and have something to offer both now and in the future.

"I really think we need to let everyone in the community and especially the students know that if they are on track with a vocational specialty then that is a success," she said. "If they are employed and employable and have a career they love and can function well in and be an effective member of our community, I think we really need to make sure that they know they are a huge source of pride for us as well and that they know how valuable they are to our community."

Deyar Jamil (two-year term)

Jamil is also a U-M graduate and has a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School. She moved to Traverse City in 2015 and has a daughter attending West Middle School and a son at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Middle School. Jamil is an attorney and has worked as a federal agent investigating white collar crime including abuse of taxpayer funded programs. She has served on the boards of various organizations, including the Chicago Mosaic School.

Jamil said the board needs to change the way it operates and is in need of fresh voices. She believes the ability of each board member to ask questions and have them answered sufficiently is paramount before voting on any recommendations.

"I have witnessed board members who have tried to operate this way in the past only to be shut down others who refuse to consider anything other than what the superintendent has recommended," she said. "I won't back down from asking any difficult question that should be asked and answered truthfully before the board puts any recommendation to a vote. I won't be intimidated."

Sue Kelly (four-year term)

Kelly is wrapping up her first term on the board and her second year as vice president. She began her real estate business 30 years ago and is an associate broker with Real Estate one. Kelly said that now is the perfect time for her to give back to the public education system in her community and wants excellent schools to reflect that community.

Kelly sees pre-kindergarten as a place for the district to spend money to help build relationships with families so that the children can feel supported by the district as they grow and attend TCAPS Schools. She also said TCAPS has opportunities to address the childcare issue by opening early-childcare centers as the district looks to remain compliant with the changes to the state's childcare laws.

Kelly is also hopeful for the future of the district because of the $107 million bond proposal that was passed in August.

"We can lay out capital plans for 10 years in the future," she said. "There's a lot of stuff on the drawing board, and we do have to prioritize. There's safety and security. There's curriculum. There's pre-kindergarten. There's early childcare. There's Central Grade. And between all of this, we're going to rebuild Glenn Loomis. That's why I think it's so important to have the people we have and the talent we have feel comfortable and not feel threatened."

Jeff Leonhardt

Leonhardt retired from East Middle School in January after teaching at TCAPS for 18 years. He began his teaching career at 30 years old and went on to become the president of the Traverse City Educators Association. He currently works as a substitute teacher for the district.

Like many of the other candidates, Leonhardt is at a loss for the funding inequity that keeps TCAPS with the lowest per-pupil state aid in Michigan. He said he endured rounds of budget cuts during his tenure at TCAPS and saw the district lose good teachers and quality staff members because of it. Leonhardt said it was a frustrating experience.

"It's just wrong the way we're funded," he said. "There's no reason why districts in other parts of the state should be getting thousands and thousands dollars more per student than districts like Traverse City. That issue has to be solved. We can't continue like this."

If elected, Leonhardt hopes to be a part of the curriculum and communications committees as well as work with the Intense Student Support Network.

Cathy Meyer-Looze

Meyer-Looze is an assistant professor and director in the educational leadership program at Grand Valley State University. She is also an instructional and leadership Specialist for the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District. Meyer-Looze has been an administrator of all levels in K-12 public education. She received her doctorate in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University, her master's from Central Michigan University and her bachelor's from Saginaw Valley State University.

Meyer-Looze said repairing the culture and climate TCAPS is stepped in is first and foremost if any true progress wants to be made.

"We really need to roll up our sleeves and work together, and I mean that with everybody -- internal and external stakeholders," Meyer-Looze said. "Working with the community and at all levels of the organization to find effective strategies to communicate and collaborate so we can achieve the absolute best for each and every one of our students."

Erica Moon Mohr

Moon Mohr is a for pharmaceutical and biotech sales rep who is now a realtor, working as a team with her mother. She was born and raised in Traverse City and has children who attend Central Grade School and West Middle School. Moon Mohr has served on several board, including the Children's Museum Board. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Michigan University in criminal justice.

Moon Mohr said there has been a clear divide throughout the election process over issues regarding the superintendent and the culture surrounding TCAPS. She said that divide has stretched out to the entire community, and maintains bullying and intimidation has no place in the district.

"There's four saying keep the status quo, and there's five saying we want positive change," Moon Mohr said. "When you say the word change, some people take offense and think we're saying what's been happening is horrible. I think from the superintendent all the way down through the other four are really threatened by that word, and I don't think it should be that way."

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