Meet the Board
The primary function of the Board of Education is to oversee the education of people in our community. The Board is responsible for establishing and implementing all district policies and procedures required to maintain an excellent educational program for all students in a safe, secure learning environment. These policies and procedures guide the Superintendent and staff in their daily duties.
 Scott VanderStoep |  George Jacob | |
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William Bloemendaal |
Bill Kangas |
Douglas Mahn |
Randall Schipper |
The Board is ultimately responsible for all classroom curricula, extracurricular programs, district budget, staff hiring, property acquisitions and sales, legal transactions, and school elections. It is the Board's responsibility to express the district's needs to the public and to convey public views to the district.
Board responsibilities also include:
- Setting educational & fiscal goals for the district
- Hiring & evaluating the Superintendent of Schools
- Approving courses, textbooks, & instructional materials
- Levying school taxes & overseeing expenditures
- Submitting bond issues for voter approval for construction and/or renovation of school facilities
- Negotiating with employee groups regarding contract terms & determining matters related to staff
- Maintaining schools & district property
As public officials, Board members are active and visible throughout the community. However, the Board acts officially only as a group. Individual Board members acting on their own have no legal authority to act on behalf of the Board.
Michigan law delegates authority to local board members to carry out the state's educational obligations. The Board is responsible to you and all district residents.
The Board of Education has final control over school district matters. All policies established must be consistent with federal statutes and laws governing public education in the State of Michigan, including the Revised School Code.
Board members receive an annual stipend of $150
Preparation for Meetings
Board members arrive at meetings ready to conduct business. Board action is the final stage of a lengthy preparation and decision-making process which generally includes:
- public discussions & observations
- review of weekly administrative reports
- monthly meetings with administrators in smaller groups known as Resource Teams (Academic, Finance, Personnel, & Pupil Services) to review, discuss & deliberate all proposals, concerns, programs, and services prior to Board meetings
- input from staff, students, parents, & community
- review of agenda & related materials prior to meeting
- including staff reports, background data, financial information, & correspondence
Listening to the Community
The Board of Education is a representative body which strives to be responsive to its constituents, actively seeking feedback to better serve the community. As a taxpayer, you are part owner in the school system. Your participation and input are encouraged and valued.
Individuals can express their concerns and opinions to Board members formally at meetings, and by phone or written correspondence. The ultimate indicator of one's viewpoint, however, is your vote in school elections.
Additionally, the Board often appoints advisory committees for recommendations on specific issues such as building needs. If you'd like to serve on a task force, contact the Superintendent's office at 738-5795.
Superintendent as Executive Officer
The Superintendent is a professional educator appointed by the Board of Education to function as its chief executive officer. It is the Superintendent's responsibility:
- to administer daily district operations & services
- to implement programs & execute policies adopted by the Board of Education
- to bring recommendations to the Board for action in carrying on the work of the school district
- to advise the Board on matters concerning management of the schools
- to keep the Board informed of district needs & up-to-date on the progress of school programs
- to serve as a resource for educational expertise
- to provide direction for staff
In preparation for Board meetings, the Superintendent and administrative staff put together recommendations and reports for Board consideration. The Superintendent and Board President work together to prepare each meeting's agenda which is the formal order of business for the Board.
Becoming a Board Trustee
Any registered voter/district resident may become a nonpartisan candidate for Board trustee by filing nominating petitions. If a vacancy occurs during a term, the Board appoints a qualified citizen to fill the opening until the next annual school election.
Annual school elections are held the second Monday in June by state law. Four-year terms are staggered. New trustees begin their terms at the July Board meeting. The Board elects officers during its annual organizational meeting in July.
Where to Go for Answers
If you have a question or concern, we suggest you follow these steps of communication in order. If you feel your question or concern has not been adequately addressed, proceed to the next level of administration. When in doubt about how to proceed, please contact the Superintendent's Office at 616 738.5795.
Contact:
- Teacher/Staff Member/Director of Transportation
- Building Principal
- Superintendent
- Board of Education
- Learning More About Your Schools
Board Members encourage you to get involved by:
- attending future meetings
- volunteering
- participating in school-related organizations (i.e. PTO)
- joining a district task force or school improvement team
You can obtain information about school programs by:
- watching rebroadcasts of Board meetings and other district programming on Channel 96 - Charter Communications
- reading the District News and building newsletters
- reading area newspapers
- obtaining copies of Board minutes, budget and financial data - all public information
- reviewing school improvement plans and annual reports
If you have further questions or would like more information about West Ottawa Public Schools and/or the Board of Education, please call 616 738.5795 or the Information Hotline at 616 786.1100.