GENESEE TWP. — Two incumbents and three challengers are seeking three seats on the Kearsley Board of Education in the Nov. 3 general election.
Incumbents DesRae Joubran and Chad Boggs will face challengers Kelly Fenner, Robert Ploof, Jr. and Lanny Valentine for three, six-year terms on the board of education.
Here is what the candidates had to say:
DesRae Croteau Joubran, Age: 47
Education: Kearsley graduate 1991
Accomplishments:
Daughter – Sydni (2014 Kearsley Graduate)
Lifelong resident of the Kearsley Community
Elected 2014 – current Kearsley Board of Education member
Currently Board of Education President but have held positions as Vice President, Secretary and Trustee
Certified Board Member through The Michigan Association of School Board Members
Sit on the Genesee County Board of Education as a delegate for Kearsley Board of Education
Kearsley Football Boosters Vice President 2016 – present
Kearsley Varsity Football Chain Team 2017 – present
Kearsley Wrestling Program – Score Keeper 2015 – present
Kearsley Swim Boosters (multiple positions held) & Score Table Volunteer 2008 – 2016
Kearsley Softball Boosters & Concession Volunteer 2010 – 2015
Kearsley Youth Baseball and Softball
(coached and held director position) 2002 – 2017
Tell us what your goals are for the community if elected? Goals for the district are keep our children safe, continue to move education forward with high standards and help the community in any way I can.
Dr. Chad Boggs, Age: No response
Education:
KHS Graduate 1993
MSU Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine 1997
MSU Doctor of Veterinary Medicine 2000
Accomplishments: Married to Rebekah (Roberts) Boggs (KHS Graduate 1992), Hornet family of four — Amelia (2020 KHS Graduate), Lydia (Class of 2022), Ava (Class of 2024) and Preston (Class of 2026)
Veterinarian at Heritage Veterinary Hospital 2000-current
Owner/partner Heritage Veterinary Hospital 2003-current
Sexton/Board Member for Tanner Cemetery 2000-current
School Board Service: Elected 2006-current
Held every position on the Kearsley Board of Education
Certified Board member through The Michigan Association of School Board Members
Tell us what your goals are for the community if elected? As a school board member, my focus would be creating policy and ideas that would foster a school environment that is healthy and safe for students and staff while giving students’ academic and athletic opportunity to mold them as successful productive citizens of the future.
Kelly K. Fenner, Age: 47
Education: Atherton High School Graduate, Baker College, Ross Medical School
Tell us what your goals are for the community if elected? It is my goal to ensure that every Hornet receives a quality, well-rounded Education. It is our job as school board members to set policy that puts kids first. As a Mom of three and grandma of 17, I understand this generation. I also recognize education is changing rapidly. I hope to offer a fresh perspective on the Kearsley School Board.
Robert Ploof, Jr., Age: 52
Education: Kearsley Graduate (86), Associates Degree in Electronics Engineering Technology (88) from Baker College, Bachelor of Industrial Engineering Degree (01) from Baker College.
Accomplishments: Varsity Girls Bowling Coach at Kearsley – 15 years-recently retired – Girls teams won 7 State Championships and 3 individual state champions.
MHSIBCA Hall of Fame – 2017
Greater Flint Area USBC Bowling Hall of Fame- 2020
Former director of Kearsley Summer recreation softball program
Member of Kearsley Volleyball booster club
Created the Kearsley Bowling Boosters was the Treasurer of this Booster Club for 12 years
Tell us what your goals are for the community if elected? My goals would be to continue to work with the administration and staff of Kearsley to continue making it one of the top schools in mid-Michigan. Our kids are most important and anything we can do to help make them successful in whatever it is they are involved in is important to me. I believe Kearsley is a great community with great kids and I want people to be proud to be a part of this community.
Lanny Valentine, Age: 78
Education: No response
Accomplishments: Resident in Kearsley school district for more than 47 years, both sons graduated from Kearsley and a granddaughter, currently have granddaughter attending.
Owned several businesses in the Flint area and retired from Motorola Communications in 2008.
Tell us what your goals are for the community if elected? The reason I am running is that (A) I wish to see schools get the funding they need and as much of the funding as possible goes to the classrooms. (B)the students get the proper education as to our country’s true history, not a made-up version (C) the students get prepared for a career, not just a job. (D) our district gets the best teachers we can.
With my extensive career in the real world raising a family and creating jobs over a 50-year period I have the expertise and time to work on what is necessary to give our students to become great leaders in our communities.