There are currently two open spots on the Michigan Board of Education. | stock photo
There are currently two open spots on the Michigan Board of Education. | stock photo
As struggles with schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about equity grow, two seats are open on the Michigan Board of Education's eight-member board.
Two GOP candidates are running for the seats: Tami Carlone and Michelle Frederick. They are contested by Democrats Jason Strayhorn and Ellen Cogen Lipton, as well as a number of minor party candidates.
Michigan Board of Education members are responsible for setting educational standards, establishing policy and overseeing the state superintendent.
Carlone, 53, is a University of Michigan graduate and CPA who told Chalkbeat Detroit that her history of advocacy for children makes her a qualified potential board member.
"I have studied education every day for 20 years and have become an expert on everything from policy to standards and curriculum," she said, according to Chalkbeat. "[I know] who the players are, including special interests; teacher college standards and training; school finances; the making of our education books and materials; education law, and why things are the way they are, and the direction in which we are heading if we don’t make big changes swiftly."
Carlone wants to see the Board provide better standards and state testing, equitable funding for public schools and accountability for those who are part of Michigan's education system.
Frederick, 47, is an Oakland Community College graduate and founding board member of the Michigan Parents Involved in Education and member of the Stop Common Core in Michigan group. She told Chalkbeat Detroit that the most critical issue facing Michigan students is the declining proficiency rates in reading and math.
"I would ensure that every child in the state has access to a quality education by providing superior and proven education standards with outstanding teachers through effective professional development for current teachers and having quality teacher schools for the up-and-coming professional educators," Frederick told Chalkbeat Detroit.
She hopes to see more accountability and transparency in the education system. "I would like to know where state and federal money that we are allocating to our public schools is going for ALL public schools."
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