Over the past 20 years, Cheryl McGinnis has helped run several successful bond campaigns for Clarkston Community Schools. This is her first campaign for Board of Education, though.
‘I didn’t have the time before,? said McGinnis of Independence Township. ‘With work and what I was doing at the building level, I didn’t feel I could adequately do the job.?
Now, two of her three children have graduated, and a new generation of parents are stepping up to help out.
She supports Superintendent Al Roberts? efforts to keep standards high for students, but said helping students in the middle would be a priority if elected.
‘I embrace Dr. Roberts? phrase that he wants to raise the bar, but for kids in the middle of the pack, the bar may already be too high,? McGinnis said.
The trimester system approved by the school board this past January for the fall should help, she said.
‘My hope is that it will allow some kids in the middle of the pack to reach their potential, to reach the bar, too,? she said.
The system changes the school year from two, 90-day semesters to three, 60-day terms. This would allow students more opportunities to retake classes, McGinnis said.
‘It’s a nice enhancement,? she said.
Another way to help would be more personal interaction between students and teachers, she said.
‘I would like teachers to engage all the kids in the culture of the school ? not just the top kids,? she said. ‘Clarkston High School is a big school. My hope is that teachers could make it smaller for them. Recognize that they have something to give.?
She supports school board Vice President Barry Bomier in his re-election campaign, and said the entire board and administration have done a good job.
‘The current board has done a fabulous job with a shoestring budget,? she said.
‘I don’t feel Clarkston has a lot of issues. We don’t have squabbling in Clarkston ? they take the role of board member seriously. They’ve educated themselves.?
She supports their efforts to reduce costs, such as a new busing plan, while preserving classroom instruction as much as possible. She supports consolidation of business functions including purchase of supplies, but would be careful with larger consolidation efforts.
‘Parents like local control,? she said. ‘Clarkston is a moderate size district. There are many smaller districts (that could consolidate). I would like to see the state begin to fund schools differently.?
She became involved with Clarkston Community Schools in the late 1980s, when her daughter Sarah, now a junior at Western Michigan University, became a student at North Sashabaw Elementary.
During a game of Bunco with other parents, she learned about a bond issue for construction of what would become Springfield Plains Elementary.
She wanted to support the bond, so she went to a parent meeting at North Sashabaw, where she was asked to attend a Board of Education meeting.
‘Before the night was over, I was named the co-chairperson of HUG (Help Us Grow, a parent bond-advocacy group),? she said.
Voters approved the bond. After the campaign, she stayed involved at the building and district level.
‘It evolved from the successful campaign,? she said.
Her new priority was to ensure promises were kept.
‘I was very concerned with the outcome, how it would play out,? she said. ‘I attended almost every school board meeting.?
Now president of the PTA council, she monitored every detail of the new school project, including color of carpet, chairs, and design of building subdivisions, called ‘pods,? she said.
By the late 1990s, redistricting had placed her family in Bailey Lake Elementary territory. Her involvement continued, serving as co-chair of a bond campaign for what would become Independence Elementary, then helping out with high school bond campaigns.
By this time, campaign organizers were turning to her for help. They considered her an expert because she had documented the successful campaigns. She had copies of flyers, educational materials, and tips.
‘We made big strides in how parent groups communicate with the community ? lots of door-to-door, face-to-face work,? she said.
She has worked the past 10 years in her husband Mark’s business, Contract Professionals. As a payroll specialist, she processes billing and handles accounts.
As a board trustee, she would bring her experience with business finances to budget discussions.
‘I’m very meticulous and detailed with money,? she said. ‘I look forward to seeing what’s behind the numbers ? not one single line item should be overlooked. How can we do it differently? I would take an out-of-the-box approach to every line item.?
She worked for General Dynamics as an executive assistant from 1981-1984, but left to raise her and her husband’s children, Sarah, Natalee, and Patrick.
McGinnis grew up in Detroit and graduated from Taylor Center High School. She worked for Ford but was caught in the lay-offs of the 1970s, than got a business degree from Dorsey Business School.
McGinnis joins challengers Joseph Wauldron, Edward Pierz and incumbent Barry Bomier in the campaign for two open seats on the Clarkston Board of Education. The election is May 8.