June Amman
Age: 52
Goodrich Resident for 21 years; Originally from West Bloomfield
Employment: Manufacturing Engineering Manager – GM Powertrain
Family: Husband, Paul; Together we have five sons?4 Goodrich H.S. graduates; 1 Pontiac H.S. graduate
Education: Northwood University, BBA’Business Management, Magna Cum Laude; Kettering University, Master of Science, Manufacturing Management. Experience; 29 years in automotive industry’manufacturing engineering, finance, global perspective.
Which issues do you most want to address, and how?
Balancing quality education and costs in light of increasing educational requirements and declining funds.
We must look for creative ways to meet these challenges. First of all, (not so creative) is the need to completely evaluate the budget and then to stop discretionary expenditures.
How will you balance representing constituents and working with board members?
A:The balancing act is not between constituents and board members. I believe that constituents and board members essentially want the same results’quality education, well-prepared graduates, capable, qualified staff, well-maintained facilities, superior curriculum, responsible decision-making, and fiscal responsibility.
Number of school board meetings attended?
Five. I have also read the school board meeting minutes for the past 12 months.
Kristen Kenny
Age: 38
Goodrich, resident for 2 years.
Employment: Business Administration, Accounting and Finance. Presently Office Manager at Paint Creek Country Club.
Family: Husband, Dennis; Sons, Anthony – student at U of M Flint and Dennis, Kindergartener at Reid Elementary; Daughters, Amber, 7th grade GMS, Serene, senior in Georgia.
Education: BBA Concentration in Management,Minor in Accounting, Baker College Flint, over 15 years experience in field. Owned/operated large child care center. Extensive advocating for Special Needs in public education.
Which issues do you most want to address, and how? Facilitating communication, participation of the community by acknowledging and representing the voice of the community on the board. The budget, participation in budget committee, teacher negotiations, participation in negotiating committee.
How will you balance representing constituents and working with board members?
By effectively communicating through any means available. Using appropriate problem-solving techniques to address issues for long-term solutions. Requesting further discussion options whenever possible on issues.
Number of school board meetings attended?
A: Attended all meetings in Goodrich since January, also attended in Waterford and Huron Valley Schools.
Terry H. Marler
Age:46
Atlas Township, 6 years Occupation: Business owner.
Employment: 16 years with Delphi. Last assignment was to create the consumer electronics division for Delphi. Currently, owner of 3 businesses. All based in the transportation electronics market.
Family: Married with 3 children. The oldest graduated from Goodrich last year, a junior and a freshman
Education:MBA.
Which issues do you most want to address, and how?
Leadership, trust, and moving forward. Create an environment of teamwork between the administration, the teachers, the parents, and the community.
How will you balance representing constituents and working with board members?
The board is to serve the school system not each other. We must be a cohesive team moving in the same direction; board, administration, teachers, students, parents and the community.
Number of school board meetings attended: three in the last 4 months.
Michael J. Thorp (Incumbent)
Age 50
My wife, Ginny and I have lived in the Goodrich community for almost 20 years, and I have served as a member of the Goodrich Board of Education for 14 years.
Employment: I am a long time broadcaster with over 30 years on television and radio, currently I am a morning anchor at WJRT-TV abc12 in Flint.
Family: I have two daughters. My oldest, Libby, graduated from Goodrich in 2000, and the youngest, Ella, is in the 10th grade.
Education: I graduated from Davison High School. In 2000 I become a member of the Davison Hall of Fame. I hold a BA from the UM-Flint and in 2001 was named a Distinguished Alumni. In 1999 I was awarded UofM’s James Neubacher Award for service to people with disabilities.
Which issues do you most want to address, and how?
We need to bring more opportunities to our children, whether it’s in the classroom, or in extra-curricular activities. Meanwhile, state budget cuts will continue… costs will rise… and the state will add more responsibilities to local schools. We must find ways to do even more with less.
How will you balance representing constituents and working with board members?
The real question is, with the current economy and lack of support from the state, where will the funds to continue programs and expand others come from. The answer… we must continue to be conservative in spending and be prepared for more cuts and additional costs.
Number of school board meetings attended?
I have missed 3 board meetings in the last 14 years, two when I represented the district at school conferences and one when I served as a program chairman at the National Boy Scout Jamboree in Caroline County, Va.
Name:Janell L Zirnhelt
Age: 47
5537 Stewart Road Lapeer
Employment:Office and Finance Manager at Jans Sport Shop, Inc, in Goodrich.
Family: My husband of 19 years, Tim, is on the Goodrich School Board. Jillian is a senior, Jolynn is a sophomore and Tommy is in third grade at Goodrich.
Education: Graduated from Goodrich in 1976. Graduated with a BA in business marketing from MSU in 1982. Have been working with people and finances in a successful business for 25 years.
Which issues do you most want to address, and how:?
The teacher negotiations. Bringing back clubs, music teacher, art teacher, media specialist and a musical. Eliminate pay to play. By using funds for the good of each student, nothing extra.
How will you balance representing constituents and working with board members?
All board information I will post on www.goodrichkidsfirst.com. Constituents can call me, email me or use the community forum page. This information I can relay back to the board.
Number of school board meetings attended?
I have attended all board meetings since March 2005 when the 39 teachers were laid off. I have been working on problems and issues with my husband Tim since then.