Three candidates vying for two RC board posts
Residents of the Rogers City Area Schools District will elect two school board members June 14 in the annual election. Three people — one incumbent and two newcomers — are candidates for the posts. The new, four-year terms will take effect July 1. Armand J. Loiselle is a board candidate for the first time. He is a retired senior corporate vice president with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a major in finance. He is married with three grown children, and also is the guardian for two nieces. Loiselle serves on the board of directors for the Rogers City Chamber of Commerce, Shelter Inc., and is vice chairman of St. John Lutheran Church and School.
Patricia J. Pike, who has completed one full four-year term on the board, has a B.A. from the University of Michigan, and works as a soapmaker and wetland consultant. She is married with two children, ages 18 and 16. Allan James Smolinski is a 1984 graduate of Rogers City High School and describes himself as a ?stay at home dad.? He is married and has three children, ages 18, 12, and nine. Smolinski has not previously held office.
All three candidates completed questionnaires for The Advance. Following are their answers, edited for length: 1. What makes you qualified to serve on the board? Why do you want to serve?
Loiselle: Having lived in Rogers City for the past five years and being active in many organizations, including the Optimist Club, with its many youth-oriented programs; this experience has given me a respect for the quality of the children we are blessed to have in our school systems.
Pike: I have been a school board member for four years. I have served as vice president for two years. I am currently president of the Rogers City Schools Board. Through the Michigan Association of School Boards, I am a certified school board member. I have taken the nine 100 level classes to earn certification. I have taken additional MASB classes to improve my service on the school board.
Smolinski: I have kids in the system. I am very involved with school sports. I care about the teachers and staff. I want to serve, so I can make a difference.
2. Would you be in favor of a residency requirement for any new administrator?
Loiselle: It should be an open issue. It should be dealt with on an individual basis.
Pike: I would hope the administrators would want to live in or near the district where they work without requiring them to. The school board should consult the school attorney about residency requirements clauses in contracts to make sure it can be legally done.
Smolinski: Yes, I believe that all administrators should live in the school district.
3. What issue prompted you to run for school board?
Loiselle: Given the continuing financial school budget problems currently being experienced both locally and statewide, I feel personally challenged to lend my financial management experience at the senior corporate level, creating and managing large, usually tight budgets. The ultimate goal is to manage our resources to achieve the best well-rounded education possible for our kids given our financial limitations.
Pike: No specific issues, I want to continue my service on the school board.
Smolinski: The cutting of freshmen sports. The lack of communication between the board and teachers.
4. What do you think should be the board?s top priorities in the 2004-05 fiscal year?
Loiselle: 1. Helping to set priorities for school district expenditures, exploring all revenue possibilities; 2. Helping to establish, improve and oversee both sho
Pike: Continue to provide the best education program for the students of RCAS; balance the school budget with minimal impact on students, staff, and programs; maintain a healthy fund equity; work on settling contracts with the teachers and support staff.
Smolinski: Reducing the deficit, while doing the right thing for the teachers and staff.