Three seats on the Otsego Public Schools Board of Education are up for grabs on the Nov. 8 ballot.
Two of those seats are for full, six-year terms. The third seat is the remaining term of an appointed position that will be a two-year term.
Incumbents Shannon Goodwin and Becky Gross join newcomer Mike Keeler in vying for the two six-year terms.
Candidates for the two-year term are incumbent Brian Ouellette and newcomer Daniel Djerf. Ouellette has filled the seat since last October, when he was appointed to fill the vacancy created when longtime board member Rodger Gibson moved out of the district.
Each candidate was recently asked to provide their thoughts on the following: Briefly tell us about yourself; Why are you running for the Board of Education? If elected, what will be your priorities?; What do you see as the primary work of the Board of Education?; and What is your vision for education in this community.
Here are the responses of each candidate, in his or her own words.
Candidates for two six-year terms:
Shannon Goodwin (I)
Briefly tell us about yourself:
I’m a proud Otsego alumna, and my husband and I have 2 students in the district (senior and 8th-grader) and one in college. I work in fund development and communications for non-profits. Serving and connecting are really important to me. Much of my volunteer service has been with young people — coaching soccer, coaching Battle of the Books, teaching Junior Achievement, and leading a non-profit camp for foster children. I enjoy reading, learning, hiking, trying new things, and connecting with people.
Why are you running for the Board of Education? If elected, what will be your priorities?
Simply put, serving is my heart and I love this community. I want to be a voice for children and their unique challenges and quirks and successes. My desire is to continue innovating for them, supporting them in the current endeavors and learning, as well as preparing them for their future. Priorities would be to support hands-on learning and career exploration, as well as continuing to promote and apply a growth mindset in our school culture — from pre-school to high school senior, and throughout our staff, coaches, and volunteers, including myself. I look forward to exploring how we can continue to involve parents and our community. I’m also on the Board Policy Committee and would continue the work we are doing to align district guidelines and handbooks with our new policies, so they are streamlined and comprehensible for everyone.
What do you see as the primary work of the Board of Education?
The Board has a high-level role and not the day-to-day running of the district. The Board sets the direction and structure for the district. One example is the strategic plan the district recently completed and has begun implementing. The BOE is also responsible for creating and implementing policies, reviewing and approving the budget, and hiring and overseeing the Superintendent.
What is your vision for education in this community?
Strong schools build strong communities. I recently read that choosing a place to raise one’s children contributes as much as 25% percent to the child’s future success. The place, the community. So having a strong school and strong community is really important to our families. In order to do that, it’s a priority to create options for students and families, providing opportunities for them to learn in new ways, to innovate our teaching and learning, and involve our entire community.
Becky Gross (I)
Briefly tell us about yourself:
I’ve lived in Otsego for 14 years, and I truly love this community! My daughter is a sophomore at Otsego High School, and my son graduated from OPS in 2021. I work as an environment, health, and safety manager for a pharmaceutical research and development company. I think Otsego Public Schools is an incredible district, and I’m proud to serve on the Board of Education.
Why are you running for the Board of Education? If elected, what will be your priorities?
I’ve been part of the OPS Board of Education for over five years, and would like to continue to serve the students of Otsego for another term. My priority is to ensure each student at OPS is equipped for success in their future, whether that is college, trade school, or the workplace. I’d like to continue to support improving academic performance of all students. I’d also like to support the district’s strategic plan, Otsego’s Pledge to Success, which defines OPS’ goals and objectives for the next five years.
What do you see as the primary work of the Board of Education?
The Board of Education has three primary responsibilities. First, the Board sets policy for the district. The Board also has responsibility to hire the superintendent, and to evaluate the superintendent’s performance on a regular basis. Lastly, the Board provides oversight for the district, ensuring the district’s resources and finances are managed appropriately.
What is your vision for education in this community?
My vision for education in Otsego is a place where the following are true: Every student feels safe and supported at school. Struggling students have the tools and resources needed to grow, learn, and be successful. Gifted students are challenged and engaged. Our graduation rates are extremely high, and all students develop a well-considered plan for their future, with opportunities to explore college, trade school, and/or the workplace.
Mike Keeler
Briefly tell us about yourself:
I have been a resident in the Otsego school district for the past 20 years. Married with two children attending Dix Street Elementary. I work full time as the Manager of Construction and Facilities for a large Credit Union based out of Kalamazoo, MI. I also work part time for Allegan County Sheriff’s Department as a Sergeant in the Reserves division. Passionate about continued learning, personal growth, being a positive role model, and working towards making our community a better place.
Why are you running for the Board of Education? If elected, what will be your priorities?
I’m a firm believer that it takes an involved and dedicated community to provide a well rounded education to our communities youth. I regularly volunteer at Dix Street Elementary, experiencing first hand the reward of working with kids who need extra help, a positive role model, or simply someone to listen to them. I see running for school board trustee as my next step to continue and expand my involvement and dedication to our community’s kids. My first priority would be to work with our amazing schools staff and local community partners to get kids caught up from time lost over the past two years. Even one child testing below state minimum reading, writing, and math levels in 3rd grade is one to many. Lacking these critical skills will have a life long impact on these kids if we don’t work with them now. At the opposite end of the spectrum, I would like to focus on getting more exposure for high school students to the many career paths in the trades industry other than college. There’s so many rewarding and well paid career paths out there to explore, all without having the burden of a life long student debt loan.
What do you see as the primary work of the Board of Education?
To establish and maintain the strategic goals, curriculum, and vision for the community school district. Work with and represent the local community to create a safe and positive school environment for our communities youth.
What is your vision for education in this community?
A safe and caring environment where students learn a well rounded core curriculum free from unnecessary political and ideological influence. An education that provides the student with the necessary life skills to be successful post graduation.
Candidates for one two-year term:
Daniel Djerf
Briefly tell us about yourself:
Attended Otsego High School from 1994-1998 where I excelled both academically and athletically. Enlisted in the Marine Corps where I earned several meritorious promotions and a Secretary of the Navy appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Upon graduation from USNA with a B.S. in American Politics and Law, I was commissioned as a Marine Corps Officer, eventually specializing in Supply and Logistics and participating in three combat deployments. After leaving the Marine Corps as a Captain, I attended the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business earning an M.S. in Supply Chain and Operations Management. Since graduation, my wife, Sara, and I have decided to settle back in our hometown of Otsego. I have held leadership positions in the furniture and plastics industries while she has worked in various roles at Washington Street Elementary. We have two children: Gunnar is 13 starting 8th grade while Anna is just turning 9 and starting 4th grade.
Why are you running for the Board of Education? If elected, what will be your priorities?
My life has been predominantly centered around education, achievement, and service. The call to serve is once again strong. My priority is that hometown values are preserved by keeping identity politics out of education. School age children should be united under simple and more universal banners like student, athlete, Bulldog, etc. The more divisive banners of adulthood should be kept out of the classroom in order to allow parents, and ideally a more mature individual, to make those kinds of identity choices later in life.
What do you see as the primary work of the Board of Education?
To ensure Otsego Public Schools, and its policies, is responsive to the values and beliefs of the local community with the goal of best preparing children for citizenship and their post-secondary endeavors.
What is your vision for education in this community?
My vision for education in this community is a cultivable garden of opportunity that does not value one path over another, but rather exposes children to a variety of paths to adulthood and fulfillment. Some individuals enjoy and excel at school while others are more suited for more immediate practical environments…and this is not only fine, but the best for society as well as the individual. Education comes in various forms and each child, with the help of parents and school officials, should be exposed to as many opportunities as it takes to find one that best suits them. The school district is also a point of connection between the community of givers and the children who can most use some help in their journey to adulthood. I believe this role should be met more head-on, providing an exchange where needs can be identified, communicated, and met.
Brian Ouellette (I)
Briefly tell us about yourself:
I am a teacher for Allegan who has lived in Otsego with my wife and family for twenty-five years. My three children have had wonderful experiences in Otsego Public Schools. I have greatly enjoyed my year on the Board, working alongside some great teachers, students, parents, and fellow Board members.
Why are you running for the Board of Education? If elected, what will be your priorities?
My experience in education gives me the background to understand the challenges facing the district, and to offer creative solutions and strategies to address those challenges. If elected, my priorities would include addressing the four pillars of the District Strategic Plan: Improving school culture and climate, supporting student well-being, creating avenues for career exploration and student engagement and, especially, improving individual student success.
What do you see as the primary work of the Board of Education?
The primary purpose of the Board of Education is to advise, oversee, and evaluate the work of the Superintendent as they execute the mission of the district and work toward fulfilling the promise of the District Strategic Plan.
What is your vision for education in this community?
Otsego Public Schools should represent a top-quality education to each parent who lives in the community and each child who walks through the doors. In other words, our schools should address the needs and challenges of every single student, every single day.