8 Saturday, October 12, 2024 http://www.sunandnews.com
CALEDONIA
Continued from Page 7
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Name: Earlina Velting
Occupation: Bookkeeper/School
volunteer
- After much reflection and prayer,
and with seven of our beloved grand-
children currently attending schools
in the Caledonia School District, I
felt a profound calling to give back to
the educational institutions that have
shaped not only my children’s lives but
now those of my grandchildren. Our
family’s deep roots in the Caledonia
Community School district run strong,
with our eldest grandchild proudly
graduating as a ‘Fighting Scot’ this year
and beginning an apprenticeship with a
local plumbing business.
This journey has deepened my ap-
preciation for the vital role trade schools
play in equipping students with valu-
able, life-long skills. I am passionate
about advancing this area within our
schools to ensure more students can
thrive through diverse pathways to
success. It would be an honor for me to
serve our incredible community.
Priorities:
CREATE: New learning opportuni-
ties at every level
DEVELOP: Students’ talents, pas-
sions, and purpose
PROMOTE: Lifelong learning via
skilled trades and college prep
BUILD: Relationships between
parents and schools to support students
PARTNER: With community and
industry for valuable student events
NURTURE: A healthy, positive envi-
ronment for students- For over two decades, I have proudly
served as CFO of our family’s local busi-
ness, while also building a robust back-
ground in healthcare administration and
political campaign finance management.
This unique blend of expertise in orga-
nizational leadership, financial oversight,
and strategic planning has allowed me to
successfully navigate complex environ-
ments and drive meaningful outcomes
across key sectors.
Caledonia Community Schools hold
a special place in my heart, as they have
been instrumental in shaping the lives
of both my children and now my grand-
children. If elected to the Caledonia
School Board, I would be honored to
contribute my skills and experience to
help shape the educational environment
and policies that will not only impact my
family but benefit the entire community.
I am deeply committed to fostering a
school system that empowers every
student to thrive and succeed. - The school board plays a crucial
role in ensuring a safe, inclusive, and
nurturing environment for all students.
This involves establishing and enforc-
ing policies that prioritize safety while
maintaining open communication
among teachers, parents, students, and
community stakeholders.
Effective communication is key to
addressing safety concerns. By listening
to teachers who understand classroom
dynamics, parents who want assur-
ance, students who need protection,
and community members invested in
our schools, we can create a collabora-
tive approach where everyone shares
responsibility for safety.
In addition to communication, our
schools need proper tools and resources
to safeguard students. This includes
physical security, mental health ser-
vices, and training for staff to recognize
and address potential threats. If elected,
I would push for regular reviews of our
safety measures, keeping them up to
date with emerging challenges.
Safety is a required foundation for
learning, and by fostering a culture of
transparency and preparedness, we can
ensure that students feel secure and
supported as they strive to reach their
full potential.- Parents play a crucial role in
relation to the board as advocates for
their children and the broader school
community. They provide valuable
insights and perspectives that can guide
decision-making. To address parents’
concerns, the board should establish
open communication channels, such
as regular forums or surveys, to gather
feedback and foster dialogue. Addition-
ally, involving parents in committees or
advisory groups can ensure their voices
are heard and considered in board dis-
cussions. - Many of the district’s difficulties,
including lawsuits and divisions, could
be reduced or avoided if leaders prac-
ticed courage, clear communication, and
sound judgment. Our focus should be on
putting students first, valuing parental
involvement, supporting educators, and
prioritizing academic achievement. We
need to foster a diversity of opinions
and promote equal opportunity, ensur-
ing that schools remain fair, balanced,
developmentally appropriate, and free
from political agendas.
Name: Marcy White
Occupation : Homemaker - I have lived in Caledonia since
2004, and our family has five CCS
graduates. As we look forward to the
next generation of our family attending
CCS, I remain engaged and person-
ally invested in Caledonia Commu-
nity Schools. My focus is on ensuring
that our schools provide the quality
education that each child deserves. To
continue supporting a thriving commu-
nity, we must advocate for the financial
resources necessary to offer exceptional
education. This requires regularly eval-
uating programs and staying innovative
in our approach. Budget demands will
always present challenges and tough
decisions lie ahead. However, within the
scope of education, we must maintain a
balance of staffing and resources to meet
the needs of all students. It is important
to regularly assess all programming,
including arts and athletics, as they can
motivate students and keep them en-
gaged. Overall, ensuring that sufficient
resources are available to support safe
and innovative educational environ-
ments remains a priority. - I am a Registered Nurse by educa-
tion in the State of Michigan, although
I am not currently working in the
field. I have served on the Board of
Education since May 2010 fulfilling
roles as a trustee, vice-president, and
president. Throughout my time on the
board, I have focused on listening to
the community’s concerns and work-
ing collaboratively with the board to
find consensus-driven solutions. Before
my work on the BOE, I contributed in
various ways including as a classroom
volunteer, Junior Achievement instruc-
tor, student mentor at Kraft Meadows,
Key Communicator, member of the
Bond Project & Growth Committees,
sports representative for the Athletic
Boosters, and active participant in PTOs
across multiple buildings. As both a par-
ent and grandparent, I remain involved
in CCS as it continues to be the heart of
our community.- Safety and security are top priori-
ties for everyone. We know that a secure
environment is essential for teachers
to teach effectively and for students to
learn. Our district has made significant
investments in enhancing safety mea-
sures, and we are constantly reviewing
these systems for improvement. I be-
lieve it is critical to remain vigilant and
proactive while continually assessing
what more can be done to ensure our
schools remain safe. - As members of the Board of
Education, we are the voice of the
community. Our responsibility is to
represent the entire community which
requires understanding, compassion,
and a willingness to find compromise in
difficult situations. To achieve this, open
and respectful dialogue is essential and
while differences may exist, we must all
work together toward the common goal
of providing an excellent education for
our students. If concerns arise, the board
has established procedures and policies
to ensure that issues are addressed ef-
ficiently and fairly. It is important that
concerns follow the appropriate chain
of command, so we can maintain orga-
nizational coherence. - Ensuring the mental and emotional
well-being of students can be just as im-
portant to their academic success. When
students feel supported and understood,
they are more likely to succeed in school
and in life. Programs that focus on cre-
ating a positive environment can help
address the mental health challenges
many students face today. It’s essential
that we continue to provide resources
that support our students, helping them
build resilience and learn valuable life
skills. In doing so, we create an atmo-
sphere where every child can thrive both
inside and outside the classroom.
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