Public notice: Manchester Community Schools

Manchester Community Schools
Notice of Board Vacancy

The Manchester Community School District is seeking applications for the current vacant position on the board of education. An individual will be appointed to fill the vacant position through December 31, 2024 and will be replaced by the individual elected to the position (based upon the November 5, 2024 election results) on Jan. 1, 2025. 

Checklist for Qualified School Board Candidates

Put children first.  A qualified school board candidate should believe that every student deserves an equal, quality education. They should have a true commitment to the successful future of all students in the district and a proven history of advocacy on their behalf. 

No personal or political agenda.  Board candidates shouldn’t be running on their own personal agenda or political aspirations. Instead, they must have a passion for public education and believe that all students are entitled to a quality education. 

Provide leadership.  A qualified school board candidate should be passionate about moving the district forward. To accomplish this, a candidate needs to be an innovative problem solver who’s effective in building consensus and isn’t averse to change and reform. 

Appreciate diversity.  A qualified candidate values the diversity of cultures and demonstrates a willingness to address the social needs of all children and their families. 

Understand budget and finances.  Qualified school board candidates must understand their role as fiscal managers of the district with the responsibility of dedicating resources to the priorities of the district while maintaining a balanced budget. 

Know educational policy.  A qualified school board candidate should be somewhat familiar with education policy and the role of the school board in policy making. 

Demonstrate integrity.  A qualified school board candidate must be a person who has demonstrated honesty, integrity and trustworthiness and adheres to a high ethical standard. 

Understands community outreach.  A qualified school board candidate understands the importance of engaging the community in the school board’s decision-making process. 

Expects accountability.  A qualified school board candidate must be able to hold the superintendent accountable to the goals of the district and in turn recognize they are accountable to the community.

Residency. Candidates must be a registered voter in the school district; must be at least 18 years old a citizen of the United States; a resident of the state of Michigan for at least 30 days; and a resident of Manchester Community Schools.

Legal Authority of Boards of Education

• Educate students. 
• Provide for the safety and welfare of students. 
• Acquire, maintain and dispose of school property.
• Determine matters relating to employees and contractors. 
• Make joint agreements and cooperative arrangements. 
• Set the curricula and courses taught in the schools. 
• Employ the superintendent. 
• Adopt a budget. 
• Decide whether or not to furnish transportation for pupils. 
• Negotiate with employee unions regarding salaries and other conditions of employment. 
• Individual school board members have no authority to act independently; they can’t commit or bind the board by their individual actions; powers and duties of the board must be exercised by the board as a whole.

Other Information

Interested persons must complete the MCS Application of Intent for the MCS Board of Education vacancy, and the Affidavit of Residency no later than April 4, 2023 by 3:00 p.m. 

Following a review of the submitted materials, the board will schedule interviews with all candidates on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 beginning at 5:00pm and, if needed, Wednesday, April 12, 2023 beginning at 6:00pm. 

The Board will select an appointee immediately following the interviews and the appointee will be sworn in at the 6pm regular board meeting on April 17, 2023.

If you have any questions concerning the role of the board of education and the responsibilities of a board member, please contact Dr. Bradley Bezeau, Superintendent of Schools, at bbezeau@mcs.k12.mi.us.

Editor’s note: The notice was updated on 3-21-23 clarify that all candidates will be interviewed, not just a selection

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.