6 vie for 4 school board seats
3 incumbents stepping aside
Just one incumbent on the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education is among the field of six candidates running for four open seats in the Nov. 3 election.
Other longtime incumbents— Jeff Brinker, Gary Briggs and Carrie Beerer — are not seeking reelection.
Among the candidates are incumbent
Maryanne Van Haitsma and newcomers Erika Alexander, Timothy Ciechorski, Lisa-Aline Hanes, Dustin Kaupp and Lakeesha Morrison.
In their campaigns, Alexander, Ciechorski, Hanes and Morrison are calling for more attention to the issue of diversity in the school district.
• Erika Alexander has a master’s degree in counseling and has been working for local nonprofit groups for 20 years. She and her family also volunteer with Forgotten Harvest, packing food items for local families, and are active in supporting other areas nonprofits, such as the South Oakland Shelter and the lo--
cal warming shelter.
“My main focus when I began running for a school board position was the need to keep the district focused on ensuring diversity and equity in staff, curriculum, discipline and achievement,” she said.
Alexander added that improvements are also needed in “communication and stakeholder involvement” in the school district.
• Tim Ciechorski is a deputy court clerk with the 41B District Court in Clinton Township. He volunteers for several community service groups and serves as chairman on the RoyalOak Parks, Recreation and Senior Services Advisory Board, and the city’s Downtown Task Force.
“I will encourage a stronger emphasis on mental health awareness for both students andstaff,” he said, and “call for greater diversity in curriculum and hiring.
Ciechorski wants to promote more attention to vocational education that can offer a pathway for students into skilled trades, as well as advocate for the “best virtual and online instruction,” he said.
• Lisa-Aline Hanes is a clinical services programmanager and registered nurse with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s certificate in nursing education. She has been an active volunteer in the school district, including the high school PTA and choir and drama booster clubs, and sports as a team manager for the Patriots girls softball and boys coach for the Royal Oak Youth Soccer Association.
“I am seeking election to the Royal Oak school board to provide a passionate voice for all families and teachers seeking equality, safety and modernization in our schools,” Hanes said.
Her priorities are having diversity among teachers, leaders and curriculum, a healthy and safe environment, and modernization of classrooms and curriculum, she said.
• Dustin Kaupp is a category analyst for PepsiCo and holdsmaster’s degrees inbusiness administration, and finance. He has volunteered or donated to many groups, including the Salvation Army, Michigan Youth Leadership, Special Olympics of Michigan, Gilda’s Club, Forgotten Harvest, and Shrine of the Little Flower.
In his campaign, Kaupp has stressed the importance of student safety, nutrition and involvement on teams and clubs, which he has said starts with students having in-person learning.
“Iwantmy kids and others in the community to have the best educational experience possible,” he said.
• Lakeesha Morrison is a lifelong resident whose ancestors were among the first Black settlers of Royal Oak in the 19th Century. She has studied photography and early childhood development, and organized several peaceful protests earlier this year following the policeinvolved killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
In her campaign she has said it is important to honor the diversity among students and have diverse representation on the board.
“The top reason why I am seeking election to the Royal Oak Schools Board of Education is because I want to voice a positive change within our school district when it comes to diversity and equality,” Morrison said. “My goal is to make sure that everyone’s voice can be heard, no matter their race, culture, gender, and/or sexual preference.”
• Maryanne VanHaitsma is a current board member who has a master’s degree in business administration and hasworked for over 30 years inhealthcare administration.
During her time on the board she has served on a range of committees, including those dealing with cultural competency, communication, finance, facilities and curriculum. An active member of Royal Oak PTAs for 17 years, VanHaitsma is also a member of the Oakland County School Board Association’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force, and the State PTA Committee for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as committees that advocate for children in groups such as Royal Oak Youth Assistance and the Royal Oak Schools Foundation.
VanHaitsma cites her record on the board in her campaign, saying experienced leadership is needed to keep the district moving forward.
“Fiscal responsibility is key as uncertainty regarding school funding continues,” she said, adding the board has responsiblymanaged resources so education and extracurricular activities can thrive. “Equity remains the overarching work inherent in our efforts. All students and staffmust have every opportunity to succeed.”