3 seats up for election on Onsted Community Schools board

Dmitriy Shapiro
dshapiro@lenconnect.com
Four of the five candidates running for the Onsted school board this year are, from left, Kevin Brooks, Alex Gast, Ryan Reynolds and Raymond J. Tressier Jr. The fifth candidate, David L. Van Brunt, declined to provide a photo.

ONSTED — Five candidates are running for three open seats on the Onsted Community Schools (OCS) board in the general election.

They include two incumbents, current secretary Kevin Brooks, 58, and trustee David L. Van Brunt, who are seeking reelection to six-year terms on the board.

They are running against four new candidates, Alex Gast, 31, Ryan Reynolds, 38, and Raymond J. Tessier Jr., 44.

The Daily Telegram sent each candidate a questionnaire to fill out about their candidacy and their responses are printed below, lightly edited for clarity.

Why are you running for this position?

Brooks: Following in my grandfather and father's footsteps, I want to continue to serve my community, the staff and the students of Onsted. Together, we have completed many projects and policies that have benefited Onsted Community Schools and the people who care about it. After 14 years, I have learned a lot and have been able to help make Onsted schools a great place to learn and work.

Gast: I am running because I am committed to Onsted schools and I care about this entire community. My wife and I were born here, lived here our entire lives and have chosen to raise our kids here. We have had opportunities to leave. There have been new job offers in other areas, but we have chosen to stay here. Generations of our families have lived here. I have such a vested interest in seeing this school and community succeed, I will do anything to help make that happen. This is a lifelong promise that I will keep whether I join the school board or not.

Reynolds: I view being a school board member as one of the greatest ways to give back and be involved in one’s community. When elected, my number one priority is to be an advocate for the continued success of the students, faculty, administrators and staff of OCS. When our school district succeeds, our community succeeds. As a lifelong learner who is dedicated to my career in aviation, I believe I can directly apply the leadership skills that are required in my industry to effectively serve on the school board.

Tessier: I have been a part of the Onsted community for the last 17 years and appreciate how our community supports each other and our schools. My wife and her siblings all graduated from Onsted Community Schools and have done very well after graduation which shows how well our schools are doing to prepare our young people for their lives after graduation. Both of my children have attended Onsted Community Schools since kindergarten, and I’ve greatly appreciated the excellent work our skilled educators and administrators have put into my children’s educations. I am in a position where many of the skills I’ve learned through my years in industry could apply to serve the community that has given so much to me and my family and am looking for an opportunity to give back. I can bring a unique perspective, having background in both automotive mechanics and executive leadership, to help guide our administrators and teachers as they tailor programs to students who may pursue vocational training as well as those who continue their studies through graduate school. My mother was an elementary school teacher and I observed first-hand her tireless work on behalf of her students, so I’m passionate about making sure that our teachers know their efforts are appreciated. I am also passionate about assuring our students are prepared to excel, working with advanced technology that’s changing rapidly; my STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) background prepares me to help guide our district as we must continually adapt to and embrace new technologies. I have relationships with many in the local STEM educational community and would like to explore opportunities to bring additional STEM opportunities to our Onsted Community Schools students as well as provide more opportunities for people in our community to offer insights on their career path and potential job shadowing opportunities for our students.

Van Brunt: I have decided to run again because I have enjoyed my time on the board. I have gained knowledge and experience over the last six years. The first thing I learned was it takes time to get used to how the education system works, good or bad. We have a good board in place, and I would like to see it remain. Every school district needs continuity with keeping in mind to grow and always look for being the best at what we do. I feel that my business experience helps add a different aspect to the board and helps to bring about a different level of understanding to some of the issues that we deal with at OCS. I hope that my time on the board and my background will help keep us moving forward.

What life or work experiences or previous public service makes you qualified for this position?

Brooks: I have lived in Onsted my entire life, attending Onsted schools from kindergarten to my graduation in 1980. I serve on the mission board and deacon board at Gateway Community church, the IT advisory board at the Lenawee Intermediate School District and own Selective Data Systems Inc., a networking and computer installation and repair business that serves many local school districts. My experience in the IT field allows me to offer ideas and advice to keep our school moving forward with technology for the future. For the past 14 years, I have served on the Onsted school board, obtaining my Michigan State School Board Level 3 certification. I began serving on the board when my daughters were in high school, and after graduating from Onsted, my oldest daughter, Leeann, is now a member of the high school staff teaching art.

Gast: I am proud to have graduated from Onsted. Afterwards, I went on to earn master's and bachelor's degrees in business administration, majoring in accounting. I have worked in financial, performance improvement and business strategy fields and now work full-time with utility regulation as a rate analyst. I would be an asset to this school because of my extensive financial experience. I am a certified public accountant and have worked for multiple years managing multimillion-dollar budgets. I also have experience as a financial auditor and tax preparer. I am very comfortable digging into financial matters and understanding exactly where money is best spent to achieve desired results.

In addition, I teach part-time as adjunct faculty at Jackson College in the business pathway. I also served two years as a member and treasurer on the board of Grace Academic Services, a small nonprofit focused on tutoring and college preparation. I have stayed close to learning and education my whole life because it is truly a passion of mine and I will channel this genuine passion to make Onsted a better school for all students.

Reynolds: I have been in the aviation industry for nearly 20 years and hold a degree in aviation science. For the past 14 years, I have been an airline pilot and currently serve as a captain on the Airbus A320 for a major U.S. air carrier based out of Detroit Metro Airport. Prior to the airlines, I taught as an adjunct faculty member and certified flight instructor at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) in Traverse City. At NMC, I was directly involved in the education and mentoring of student pilots, both in the air and in the classroom.

Tessier: I have over 20 years experience in the automotive industry, working in engineering and executive roles. The experience I have gained leading human resource management for a large global organization (more than 70 engineers), complying with legal/regulatory obligations, developing and presenting strategic proposals to senior leadership in my company, setting high-level vision for my department, managing a multimillion dollar budget effectively through good and bad economic times and building effective working relationships with many global stakeholder groups, prepares me well to serve the community in a school board role. In addition to working in the automotive industry, I have also served as a community college adjunct professor for both engineering and trades courses and currently serve on volunteer program advisory boards for technical education programs where I assist in setting strategic program objectives as well as setting program and capital budget priorities. I have served regularly as an elder in my church, most recently serving on a board with responsibility to set budget priorities for the congregation. Educationally, I have a bachelor’s degree in science from Alma College, a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Kettering University and a master’s degree in engineering from Purdue University. In addition to graduate coursework in engineering, I have continued my lifelong passion for all things automotive and am an ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) certified automotive technician.

Van Brunt: I have been on the board for the last six years. I have been in business for the last 30 years and a lifelong resident of Onsted. I feel my business and life experiences give me a good foundation to continue being a school board member at Onsted Community Schools.

What issue/issues do you consider to be your priorities?

Brooks: During this difficult time we are navigating. We need to focus on funding the technology and infrastructure our students and staff will need to seamlessly move forward and succeed in today's in-person, remote and online learning experiences.

Gast: The biggest challenge we face is keeping our kids in school. Protocols are in place and being followed to ensure students that are in school remain healthy and can continue to learn. But there are many students enrolled in virtual learning that are not engaging in their classes or completing their work. We need to build confidence for families that our school is the best place for their kids.

We also need to consider the needs of students from low-income households. I think helping disadvantaged students starts by leading with love. I have seen this over and over at Onsted and I believe that teachers and staff love helping our children grow. Not all students start from a level playing field. Some have obstacles to overcome that many people could not even imagine. Putting ourselves in their shoes, showing genuine empathy, will make a huge difference in their lives. Onsted has great programs to help students focus on learning while they are in school, but there is more we need to do. Improved access to technology, meals, clothing and connection to wellness resources are all very important, especially during this coronavirus pandemic.

Reynolds: I believe there are a few key issues facing our district in the 2020-21 school year. The two most pressing issues to me are COVID-19 and teacher retention. The current pandemic has been an immense challenge for all of us. Continuing to provide a safe and healthy environment for the students, teachers, administrators and staff is extremely important. I know many parents, including myself, are frustrated with some of the guidelines and restrictions being handed down from Lansing, particularly for those students who are attending class in person. I feel in this situation, it is important to focus on the bigger picture and remember that the end goal is to provide the best possible education for our children. As a board member, I will work to ensure that goal is met, along with the continued focus on the health and safety of everyone involved. I will also work toward common-sense solutions to these restrictions when there is latitude to do so. With patience, kindness and understanding, I believe we will emerge from these difficult times as a stronger district and community. Retaining our incredible teachers and attracting the brightest and most qualified new teachers to our district is also huge priority for me. Our teachers’ dedication and love for students is nothing short of amazing in my eyes. I believe rewarding their hard work and sacrifice is paramount to the future success of OCS.

Tessier: From my experience, we have many talented administrators and teachers who work unselfishly on behalf of our students. I have learned in my automotive experience that having a clear strategic vision and empowering employees to achieve the vision is the key to success. Unfortunately, we have lost some very talented teachers over the course of my children’s time in Onsted Community Schools. While there are many complex factors to consider when someone resigns — and I understand there are situations where it’s impossible to retain a good employee — I would work with the administration and other board members to make sure no good teacher leaves OCS because they feel the district and community don’t appreciate what they’re doing for our children. If there are policy changes we can make to improve teacher morale and retention based on exit interview lessons learned, I would advocate to make these changes. If there are teachers who need improvement, I would work with our board and administration to assure proper training and mentorship opportunities are available and that teachers are being coached effectively. Our current times and the pandemic are creating uncertainty in student enrollment numbers as well as public funding as tax revenue projections are uncertain due to the economic recession. Having served in automotive and church board leadership roles through the 2008 recession, I understand that we need to be good stewards of funding entrusted to the district and don’t take this responsibility lightly. I would plan to work with other board members to address financial challenges head-on, but also assure that we do so in a way where financial transparency is maintained and OCS staff morale is highly considered in any decisions the board makes. I fully support and advocate for Onsted Athletics, Onsted Band and other clubs that offer students opportunities to learn valuable life skills outside the classroom and would support these areas in decision making.

Van Brunt: Unfortunately, everything these days is a moving target with education. The most important challenge is providing our students with the opportunity to get the education they deserve in the safest and absolute best environment possible. We need to make decisions based on the information we have, keeping the best interest of the students and staff in mind. Unfortunately, there is no roadmap.

What makes you a better fit for the position compared to your opponent/opponents?

Brooks: My 14 years of Onsted board experience gives me the advantage of not only knowing the people that are part of our wonderful staff at Onsted schools, but also gives me the ability to look forward, knowing what we have navigated together in the past.

Gast: I am a better fit because I am an inclusive leader. This means I value listening to diverse opinions, collaborating at all levels and showing authentic compassion for all people. My energy and excitement also differentiate me from my opponents. I will not just be a voting member of the board, I plan to be involved and work to make the school better. I believe our current board and school leadership have been effective, but I also believe there is more that can be done. I will bring an attitude of continuous improvement and always look for new ways to approach issues. I will learn from the experts and add a new spin because of my own unique life experiences.

Reynolds: While I feel that all of the candidates that are running are qualified for this position, I believe the knowledge and leadership skills I have acquired as an airline pilot will bring a unique perspective to the board. Being a professional pilot is more than just being able to fly an airplane. It requires strict discipline, critical and timely decision making, adherence to company policy and federal regulations, continuing education, teamwork, clear and concise communication skills and the upmost professionalism. Above all else, it requires bearing the humbling and tremendous task for being directly responsible for the safety of over 200 passengers, six crew members, and a $100 million aircraft. I would apply these same skills and sense of duty to the board, just as I do in other areas of my life.

Tessier: We are fortunate as a community to have an excellent slate of candidates running for school board, which shows how passionate our community is about our schools. While I respect all of the candidates running and would be honored to work with them if I’m elected, I feel my academic, executive, leadership, vocational and teaching background would enable me to work with other board members and school administrators collaboratively to develop creative solutions to the problems we’re currently facing. I haven’t met many people who have pursued both vocational training and a challenging master’s degree, so I feel my background in these areas would enable me to serve well as an adviser to many programs Onsted Community Schools will develop over the coming years. I’ve also led organizations successfully through economic hard times in my automotive experience and we were able to come out stronger when times improved with morale intact. I’d apply this experience working on the board in our current uncertain economic times. In addition, I have significant experience with Onsted Community Schools as my children both attended Onsted Elementary and I currently have one child in Onsted Middle School and another in Onsted High School.

Van Brunt: I am a lifelong resident of Onsted and I am proud to say so. I attended and graduated from Onsted Community Schools and three of my four children have done the same, while the fourth is still attending.

Anything else you would like people to know?

Brooks: Yes, I am an incumbent. Yes, I have been on the board for a long time. The reason I have stayed involved for so long is that I have a passion for this school and this community, which I have grown up in and I want my grandchildren (who also attend Onsted) to grow up here in a safe, caring and challenging environment that I have been able to help maintain. I also want to continue to help provide a quality education to promote lifelong learning.

Gast: I love the Onsted and Irish Hills area. I love being involved with the community and sharing the experiences I had as a child with my own kids. I enjoy coaching my son's soccer, baseball and flag football teams with the Onsted Community Recreation Committee. Our family is also big fans of Onsted sports, especially football!

Reynolds: My wife, Allison, and I have been married for 13 years. Allison is an ICU nurse at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. We have two young children who both attend Onsted Elementary. We are also members of Brooklyn Presbyterian Church. I enjoy spending my free time with family and friends, hunting, fishing, camping, boating, riding ATVs and snowmobiling. I am also an avid music fan and guitarist.

Tessier: I have been married to Pamela (PJ) Tessier for over 18 years, and we are proud Wildcat parents to Caitlin (ninth grade at Onsted High School) and Jack (sixth grade at Onsted Middle School). I am also the proud uncle to Onsted Community Schools students Sean, Cade, Lizzie and Leo Symington.

I enjoy attending my children’s events, spending time on the lake, camping with friends, working on classic cars and swimming 2 miles most mornings before work for exercise.

Van Brunt: I would appreciate if you would consider casting your vote to reelect me for the Onsted school board.