VanHaitsma, Maryanne - Royal Oak Schools
Are you an incumbent?
Yes
Brief Intro of Candidate
I have served on the Royal Oak Schools Board for 2-4 year terms. I have 2 children that graduated from the district and I have been active in the district since the time they were in the school district. I am active within the community and recognize the importance that our schools have within the city. We need to be a safe and welcoming place for all students and staff. It is our obligation to provide this environment in a manner that accepts all students where they are at.
Endorsements
Royal Oak Democratic Club - pending ROEA/MEA
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
Self
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
Our district has committees in these areas that are open for any caregiver or community member to join and provide their feedback. It is important for board members to be engaged within the community and meeting families and caregivers where they are at to ensure their voices are heard in all areas within the district.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
Our district utilizes restorative practices recognizing these as being critically important when working with students. Restorative practices provide a tool for managing behavior vs. punishment. It can improve relationships with the students and help to remove any disparities with discipline related issues..
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
I am grateful that our district values the mental health of students and staff. We support counselors and social workers. Our schools have programs like character strong and other mental health programs recognizing that students learn in when they are safe and mentally is a good space. Meeting the physical and emotional needs of students helps them to be more receptive to learning. The child is assessed to meet all these needs.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
Meeting students where they are at is critical and ensuring that there are staff that students can relate to and have as models is critical. I believe it is important for students to have staff that they can relate to and staff that serve as role models for these students. Diversity of staff is critical to student success.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
Our district continues to ensure that we have policies in place that allow an equal education occurs for all students regardless of race, gender identify, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., The board supports the work led by our DEI coordinator and schools in the area of DEI.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
Students need to see staff that reflect themselves. Recruiting and retaining staff is critical and challenging in the field of education. It is important to be creative to support grow your own programs and recruit from a very diverse range of schools. Having staff contracts that are competitive and fair are also important to ensure that the needs to staff can be met within the financial funding framework. Other benefits that can be provided are those that meet other needs of staff, mental health supports, a safe working environment, time off, etc.