Meet the McBain board candidates

Why are you running?

Denise Gilde: To be totally honest with you, I really never pictured myself in a public position of any kind. Public speaking nearly pushed me to the point of wanting to quit working toward my bachelor’s degree at Baker College. I persevered, however, and finished my Business Administration degree in 1999.

I currently serve as cook for the Missaukee Child Development Center which houses the Head Start and Michigan School Readiness programs for Missaukee County. I truly enjoy working in the atmosphere. I am lucky enough to be given the position of trust involved in deciding on nutritious choices for these wonderfully funny and precious little ones. In addition to this paid position, I also serve in my most gratifying position in life as mom to Megan and Zachary and wife to John III.

Phil Gilde: I am running for school board because it is a chance to give back to the community, and to be more involved with my children and my neighbor’s children.

Dean Smallegan: I am running for the McBain School Board for the same reasons I had when I was first elected eight years ago — to give back to the great school I graduated from a small portion of what I received! I have much enjoyed serving our community in this position and would like to continue.

What long-range plans do you have to help the school district stay fiscally sound?

Denise Gilde: By running for the school board, my intent is to make it a learning process. I am not as versed as others on this, so I plan to listen intently to the other board members, educate myself and then make my decisions.

Phil Gilde: McBain Schools have a long history of stability in all areas of education, I would hope to learn what it takes to keep that going in the future.

Smallegan: If there is a long-range plan to help McBain remain fiscally sound, it would call for more of the same leadership we’ve recently had. Though we have a new superintendent starting in July, I am confident we will maintain our solid financial position and still be able to expand our programs to make our curriculum even better.

Are there any changes to the curriculum you would like to see and why?

Denise Gilde: At this point, I don’t see any changes that need to be made. I think McBain has a good handle on an education plan. I just like to see that all children are able to concentrate equally so they receive the great education they offer.

Phil Gilde: I believe that core curriculum needs to remain the focus, a strong core helps all students and also sets the foundation for the other schools of thought.

Smallegan: I would like to see a broader arts program, and an expanded foreign language program with an Asian language offering. Most of all, I would promote growing our pre-school program — by starting early with all of our 4- and 5-year-olds, we can really make progress, and reduce the amount of special education required to “catch up” kids later in elementary school. We have the tools to do this...but all of these curriculum ideas are subject to state funding.

In addition to financial difficulties, what do you see as the most important issue facing the school district and why?

Denise Gilde: My interest in wanting to serve on the board stems mainly from personal issues, but personal issues I feel affect many children in public schools everywhere. In light of the recent and not so distant past events concerning school violence.

Phil Gilde: Everyone is talking about school aid cuts and declining enrollment, but I believe that has more to do with loss of jobs than specific school performance. That said, I would choose funding equity for northern schools to be the most important issue that also seems to have the best chance for correction in the near future through the political process.

Smallegan: The most important issue facing our district is adequate, consistent funding from the State of Michigan. If our leaders in Lansing require a stronger high school curriculum, we should require additional funding to pay for it. The state should take the lead in controlling the mandated costs of retirement, and allow us to seek more cost-effective options for health insurance.

What options do you see to solve the issue?

Denise Gilde: I feel my biggest strength would serve in the capacity of advocate for all children in the area. Someone needs to get on the inside to see where we are lacking in safety for our children and work on solutions to halting school violence on all levels. I have done much research and would love to share and investigate further my findings with all of you.

Phil Gilde: We need to work hard at keeping and creating jobs in our area. Be a squeaky wheel in the ear of your local and state politicians.

McBain is a neighbor for neighbor community and we are proud of our schools. Our staff, administrators and parents care deeply about the education of our children and it shows.

Smallegan: Most of our funding comes from Lansing, and until our leaders solve their budget issues, our funding will be based on political whims, and not focused on results. We will do our best in McBain to provide a broad, strong education in a safe, friendly setting, with whatever funding we have available to us.