The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
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Meet the candidates
PUBLISHED: April 10, 2008
Milan Area Schools will hold a Meet the Candidates' Night for the candidates for the Board of Education. The forum will beheld 7 p.m. April 16 in the Milan High School Performing Arts Center. Candidates will make opening remarks and then will answer questions from the audience.
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Voters will elect two board trustees May 6. Below are brief profiles on each of the candidates who filed nominating petitions to appear on the ballot.
Name: John Leacher IIIAge: 45
Family: Wife, Betty; daughters, Jessica, 15, and Samantha, 13.
Education:Bachelor's degree in interdisciplinary science from Eastern Michigan University.
Occupation/Career:Police lieutenant with the city of Romulus for 20 years
Community Involvement: Parent volunteer with Milan cross country and track programs. He has participated in Milan World CafÈ' and helped with the Discover Milan 5K run.
What strengths and/or significant perspective would you bring to the school board?
I believe one of my greatest strengths is my five years of prior school board experience with Airport Community Schools. Although each school district and school board is different, there are many similarities, especially in the area of labor relations, finances and state curriculum mandates.
I believe another strength I would bring is balance in the area of labor relations. I have been a union member all of my professional life; however, my current position is in upper level management within the police department. I believe I have a good feel for both sides of the table in this area.
What do you consider to be the primary challenges facing the Milan Area School District?
I feel the two major challenges we face in Milan are in the areas of finances and curriculum. Milan has done an outstanding job so far in the area of fiscal responsibility and keeping up with the requirements of the Michigan Merit Curriculum. The task for the school district continues to be maintaining fiscal responsibility while offering outstanding educational opportunities to our children.
Name: Mary Mehringer
Age: 67
Family: Two children, Michael and Ann, who graduated from Milan High School, and two grandchildren currently attending Milan Area Schools.
Education: Bachelor's degree in education from the University of Michigan and master's degree in the art of teaching from Marygrove College.
Occupation/Career: Retired in 2003 from teaching elementary school for 38 years in Milan. Taught at Paddock, Allen and Jones elementary schools.
Community Involvement: A member of Immaculate Conception Parish in Milan and past volunteer for Arbor Hospice.
What strengths and/or significant perspective would you bring to the school board?
My years of teaching in Milan have given me an inside perspective of Milan Area Schools. I have seen its tremendous growth and development over the years and know it to be an exceptional school district. The dedication and professionalism of its staff makes it a jewel of which the community can be proud.
We are educational leaders in many areas. My four years on the school board have given me a broader knowledge of the district's workings and have allowed me opportunities to spend a lot of time visiting and volunteering at all building levels.
What do you consider to be the primary challenges facing the Milan Area School District?
The challenges Milan faces in the future are not unique to Milan. We need to keep pace with developing changes in education; curriculum advances; preparing our students to compete in a global economy; and finding how to effectively use ever-advancing technology available to students. All of that requires not only informing our practices, but puts a greater burden on our budget.
We need to be creative and proactive to continue our level of excellence while staying financially responsible. We also need to look at growing needs for expansion of facilities, as well as upgrading and maintaining the buildings we have.
Name: Mary (Hoevemeyer) Wines
Age: 45
Family: Married with four daughters, ages 21, 18, 16 and 15. Amanda and Allison graduated from Milan High School and are attending college. Kaitlyn and Krista are attending Milan High School.
Education: Graduated from Dundee High School and attended Orange Coast Community College in Orange County, Calif.
Occupation/Career: Self-employed for the past seven years as owner of Molly's Mystic Freeze in Dundee and Whistle Stop Station in Britton.
Community Involvement: Our family attends Immaculate Conception Church, where I previously taught for several years. I was an active member of the Milan Middle School Parent Action Committee and was the chairwoman for two years. I was a board member of Milan Children's Nursery for several years when my daughters attended the co-op. I volunteer frequently at the school and sporting events along with managing my daughter's travel softball team. I attended sixth-grade Storer Camp as a parent counselor for four years.
What strengths and/or significant perspective would you bring to the school board?
I have participated in my daughters' educations in all four buildings comprising Milan Area Schools. I actively participate and volunteer at all levels and witness the benefits the school system provides our community.
Having the experience of working closely with administration and staff, I understand their vision and challenges of accomplishing future growth.
I have participated on several boards within the corporate structure along with being self-employed and hiring youth. I have the business knowledge of how to set standards and accomplish goals and understand what is important to students in order for them to succeed in their chosen path.
What do you consider to be the primary challenges facing the Milan Area School District?
I think Milan Area Schools has a great foundation for learning and continues to broaden the opportunities for the young people of our community.
I want to assist Milan schools in continuing to be recognized as one of the leaders in academics, arts and sports in our area.
Milan needs to continue to constantly improve while maintaining financial stability. With Michigan's economy in a downturn, this may be a struggle in the next few years and I feel I can offer a business perspective to help us overcome any financial issues without compromising our high standards.
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