The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Longtime incumbents won't seek re-election
Johnson and Tarrant choose not to run for another term
By Brian Cox, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: February 1, 2007
The Milan Area School Board is poised to welcome a pair of fresh faces with the announcement this week that two longtime trustees would not seek re-election in May.
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David Johnson, who was first elected to the board in 1991, and Ron Tarrant, who joined the board in 1995, said they have enjoyed their combined 22 years on the board but it's time to bring in some new blood.
"It's time for others to have a shot," Tarrant said.
"It's a good opportunity for someone who wants to serve on the board," agreed Johnson.
Four petitions have been picked up by potential candidates, said Board of Education President Dawn Allstetter. Among those considering running are Lynn Greer, Janice Kiger, Eric Peacock and John Leacher.
As of Tuesday, only Greer had officially filed as a candidate, according to the Washtenaw County Clerk's Office.
Candidates have until 4 p.m. Feb. 13 to file an affidavit of identity and a nominating petition with the county clerk's office. A non-refundable $100 fee may be filed instead of a petition.
Allstetter said the board would miss Johnson's and Tarrant's veteran leadership and their experience in education, but that new members will bring a fresh dynamic to the board.
After serving almost 16 years on the board, Johnson said his family encouraged him to make time for other interests and goals.
"There are some other things I need and want to do," said Johnson, who retired from teaching mathematics at Eastern Michigan University two years ago.
Johnson said he has felt drawn to performing some missionary work, possibly in Africa. He spent four months in Swaziland, where he helped rewrite the country's mathematics curriculum. He returned in late 1982 to complete the work.
Johnson said he would like to spend more time writing curriculum and volunteering at the Church of the Nazarene. He is also looking to spend more time with his four children and 11 grandchildren.
Johnson thought about not running for a fifth four-year term shortly after he was re-elected in 2003, but didn't decide the matter until a few days ago.
"I just feel, at this point in my life, it seemed like the right timing," he said.
He will remain on the Milan Parks and Recreation Commission and continue as treasurer of the Michigan Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
"Education has been my life and will continue to be," he said. "Sometimes you have to head in another direction."
Tarrant, who is the assistant superintendent for Westwood Community Schools in Dearborn Heights, said he decided not to run again because of professional time constraints and because he felt much of what he hoped to accomplish when he first ran has been achieved.
"We wanted to change the leadership," he said, "and we brought on Dennis (McComb), who has been a real plus for us."
Tarrant pointed to the construction of the new high school as another mark of accomplishment.
With their careers in education, Johnson and Tarrant brought to the board insight from an insider's perspective.
"We had an understanding of how schools work," Tarran said. "We worked really well together."
Staff Writer Brian Cox can be reached at 429-7380 or bcox@heritage.com.
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