BY ART BUKOWSKI and SHERI McWHIRTER
abukowski@record-eagle.com smcwhirter@record-eagle.com
TRAVERSE CITY — Six candidates will vie for two open four-year board positions with Traverse City Area Public Schools.
Candidates include pediatrician Jennifer Schell Bonifacio, financial advisor Erik Falconer, retired Munson Medical Center physician Cynthia Glines, former Traverse City Commissioner Scott Hardy, Michigan Department of Human Services retiree Mary Marois and Mary Jo McKay, a respiratory therapist and registered nurse at Munson.
They plan to run for seats held by Alice McNally and Fred Tank, who will not seek re-election in November.
McNally joined the board in 2002 and served two terms, while Tank was elected in 2006 and served as board president in 2008 and 2009. Both hold trustee positions, and their terms end in December.
Glines said she's raised two children in TCAPS, from kindergarten through graduation, and that's provided her an experienced perspective. She intends to bring open-mindedness and critical-thinking skills to the board if elected.
"Finances are going to continue to be the major challenge and ongoing concerns about state equity funding. Attracting and retaining students is another issue," she said.
Glines said she'd love to see more parental involvement in the district because it would benefit both students and staff members.
Bonifacio sought appointment to fill a TCAPS opening on the board last year. She could not be reached for comment Tuesday afternoon, the filing deadline for TCAPS' November candidates.
Falconer is founder and president of local financial company Falconer Group, but was unavailable for comment on Tuesday.
McKay, mother of one recent Central High School grad and an Eastern Elementary student, is ready for a spot on the board.
"I've always been civic minded, and now I have the opportunity to act," she said.
The final two candidates, Hardy and Marois, also could not be reached for comments.
