Three candidates are seeking two soon-to-be vacant seats on the Glen Lake Board of Education.
They are incumbent and school board president Cory McNitt, retired teacher Nancy Flanagan and father and business owner Tom Bisbee.
We asked each candidate three questions, limiting responses to 75 words in length.
Here’s what they had to say:
1.) GlenLake’s$35million bond proposal failed in Nov. 2023. Now voters will consider a more modest $8 million request in November. Are you in favor of the bond proposal? If the request is turned down, where does the district go from there?
Bisbee: I fully support the bond proposal, which focuses on essential HVAC improvements to create comfortable learning environments for students and staff. I appreciate Superintendent Misner and the school board’s decision to combine bond and non-bond funds for infrastructure upgrades. Ensuring our schools remain first-class benefits the entire community.
Flanagan: I support the November proposal. As a volunteer at Glen Lake Schools, I see first-hand the need for upgrades to the building and believe that the $8 million request is reasonable and necessary. I also believe the Glen Lake community will endorse the more modest request, as the Board has displayed due diligence in outreach. Speculating about a millage failure is not appropriate at this time.
McNitt: I fully support the upcoming bond proposal in November. The $8 million investment will be dedicated to replace the HVAC system for Glen Lake School District. This is an essential step toward providing a safe, comfortable, and healthy learning environment for our students and staff. Upgrading the HVAC system will improve air quality, energy efficiency, and overall comfort, making sure that everyone in the school can focus on learning without concerns about the building’s infrastructure. It’s a critical need for our facility.
2. Glen Lake received $150,000 in state funding for a second preschool class allowing many families to send a child to school at little to no cost. Do you believe in universal pre-K for Glen Lake families? What role does preschool play in terms of future enrollment?
Bisbee: I believe in universal pre-K for all Glen Lake families because it provides children with a strong educational foundation and offers a safe, nurturing environment while their parents work. Having personally benefited from it, I’ve seen how it positively impacts families. No one should have to choose between their child’s early development and making ends meet. Universal pre-K ensures every child gets a fair start, and every family gets the support they need.
Flanagan: Experts in school improvement agree: when kids go to pre-school, their chances for a successful academic career skyrocket. Quality early childhood programs are the best bang for our buck, when it comes to student outcomes. I strongly support all pre-school initiatives. Community advantages include attracting young working families, something we can all benefit from in Leelanau County.
McNitt: Universal Pre-Kindergarten is an important investment for our children’s future, nationally and at Glen Lake. It provides all children, regardless of their background, with early learning opportunities that build a strong foundation for academic success and social development. By securing access to quality pre-K at Glen Lake, we can continue to create a more equitable and successful future for our Lake Family Community.
3.) Manyyearsago,Glen Lake School administrators contemplated the purchase of property near the school for the development of affordable housing which would bolster enrollment. Employers throughout the county are having a tough time attracting applicants as many cannot find affordable housing.
Has this been an issue at Glen Lake? What role, if any, should the school board/ administrative staff have in addressing the housing issue?
Bisbee: Affordable housing is a significant issue affecting our county and school district. While I believe county, state, and federal governments must take the lead in reducing costs and increasing housing options for families, I think our school board can help these efforts by advocating for more affordable housing, collaborating with local governments and nonprofits, and engaging our community regarding the importance of affordable housing for all.
Flanagan: It’s not only schools impacted by the fact that Leelanau County has the highest cost of living in Michigan—it’s businesses and services available. Good schools are dependent on good staffing and leadership. Creative ways to find affordable housing, while not technically the job of the school board, are one way that we can attract both engaged families and high-quality school staff.
McNitt: Like many other organizations and businesses in the area, affordable housing issues have limited hiring for different job positions at Glen Lake. School Districts should play a supportive, but not a primary role in addressing housing issues. I do believe school systems should collaborate with local governments and nonprofi ts to help support affordable housing solutions for teachers and staff. Stable housing ensures that employees can live within the communities they serve, reducing turnover and benefiting students through a more committed workforce.
