Election: Meet Your Board of Education Candidates

Voters will go to the polls Nov. 8 to elect three respresentatives to the Board of Education, and Berkley Patch has the scoop on the candidates.

Current board Vice President Paul Ellison, along with Paul Honkala and Ronald Justice, are running to fill two six-year terms. Board of Education President Marc Katz .

Mitchell Moses, an interim board member by appointment, and Melissa Lampela are running to fill one partial term ending Dec. 31, 2015. The Board of Education in July appointed Moses to fill a seat vacated by Trustee Ryan O'Gorman, whose family moved out of the district. Lampela was not among those who challenged Moses for the appointment. Moses will serve until Dec. 31.

The Board of Education races are nonpartisan.

Below are responses the candidates provided to questions asked by Berkley Patch, in alphabetic order. If you'd like to find out more, a Board of Education Meet the Candidates event will be held from 7-9 p.m. Monday at the in Oak Park.

Paul Ellison

Age: 54

Residence: Berkley resident for 15 years; Oakland County resident for 50 years.

Education: B.A., history, University of Michigan (full four-year academic scholarship (worked through college at Beaumont Hospital summers/weekends);
Global Education Perspective: learned to speak three foreign languages from high school through college — still use all three languages in business/travel; 
Juris Doctor, University of the District of Columbia (Antioch School of Law); also worked through law school (D.C. lobbying/law firm; Michigan Attorney General’s office; United Auto Workers-General Motors Legal Services; taught computer-assisted legal research/writing at community college).

Political career: Currently Berkley school board vice president. Total of 5½ years' service on the Berkley school board, including treasurer and vice president over the past three years.

Professional career: Attorney in private practice: 20-plus years representing both sides in labor, construction and insurance contract disputes, negotiated/participated in settlements involving several million dollars; nominated "volunteer lawyer of the year” twice by local bar association.

Personal: Married 18 years on Oct. 17, 2011; one child who has attended all Berkley schools K-10th grade (present), and is a member of the () marching band and BHS symphonic band. I went to college and law school after working from 1976-77 on a Ford Motor Co. assembly line after high school.

Website: ellisonforberkleyschools.com

Contact information: ellisonforberkleyschools.com

What inspired you to run: I first ran for the school board in 2006. At that time, I wanted to transfer my energies doing several years of volunteer legal work, coaching my son and his teammates in Berkley Youth Hockey and Berkley Dad’s Club baseball for three years each and as PTA vice president, to work for all the children of the district. This time around, there are so many challenges facing schools with the lack of stable funding and a misguided charter school/back-door voucher agenda from Lansing — further misdirecting funding away from public schools — that the district needs leaders with as much broad life experience and hard-earned board experience, training and education as possible.

What are your priorities if elected? Working for fair, stable funding for schools; local control of schools; and improving communications between the district and residents.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? My experience serving as a PTA board officer and five years of experience and training as a board member taking years of Michigan Association of School Board courses (MASB-certified board member and Award of Merit). I have personally met with all U.S. and state legislators to promote fair, stable funding for schools and local control. I chaired the most recent district-hosted tri-community meeting (with Berkley, Huntington Woods and Oak Park) to improve communication and promote shared services to save costs/expenses. In addition my legal training and experience — representing and negotiating settlements on both sides in labor, construction and insurance contract disputes — has been extremely helpful in reviewing proposed labor, vendor, construction and insurance and other contracts that have come before the board.

What is your favorite thing about the Berkley School District? Graduations. As a board member, I have had the privilege to have a front-row seat to five BHS celebrations for the culmination of 13 years of schooling between classmates, teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, grandparents and other relatives. Onstage, we can sometimes detect the nerves of speech contest winners, valedictorians and salutatorians as they sit among us and then watch these young people rise up and conquer their fears to give thoughtful — and sometimes very funny — speeches in front of hundreds of well-wishers. Knowing glances between graduates and their principals, educators and counselors either reveal deep respect for each other as they meet onstage or occasionally betray final pardon for a challenging student’s past indiscretions. Graduates in their gowns sit together, play and sing with underclassmen right behind us in their final performances with the symphonic band, orchestra and choir. And () graduations are so amazing and full of energy that they are beyond accurate description with mere words.

What is the biggest problem facing the district? Lack of fair, stable funding for public schools, coupled with a charter school/voucher agenda from Lansing that, if passed, will misdirect millions of dollars in additional funding from public schools to charter schools even though reliable, peer-reviewed studies have shown that charter schools offer no improvement over public schools. (See 2009 Stanford University study: 83 percent of charter schools do no better or worse — 37 percent — than public schools; 2003 National Assessment of Educational Progress study: Charter schools showed no improvement over public schools; 2010 Citizens Research Counsel report, similar findings as Stanford University study.)

Paul Honkala

Age: 60

Residence: Berkley

Education: Master's in school administration

Political career: None

Professional career: Educator in Berkley for 33 years

Contact information: Home address withheld at editor's discretion

What inspired you to run: I have lived in Berkley for 48 years, grew up in Berkley and taught school in Berkley. I want to preserve quality public education in Berkley.

What are your priorities if elected? Finance is always important; however, the need to keep local control of our school is paramount. Our schools should also reflect the cities we serve. 

What sets you apart from the other candidates? I know the history of communities, and I want to preserve and enhance our quality schools. I also have the expertise in what makes good education for our students.

What is your favorite thing about the Berkley School District? My favorite about Berkley schools we have a hometown atmosphere, parent-involved community, that promote and support our schools.

What is the biggest problem facing the district? Trying to provide best education for all of our students in a world where technology changes so rapidly.

Ronald Justice

Ronald Justice did not respond to requests for comment by the deadline for this article. His answers were added after publication.

Age: 45

Residence: Berkley

Education: Oakland Community College and Electronic Trade School (National Institute of Technology).

Political career: Vice President of the Friends of Berkley Parks & Recreation.

Professional career: Owner of Visual Identity for 10 years; director of marketing for XL Color, 2001-2004; director of marketing at Faro Screen Process in Canton, 2004-present.

Personal: Married to Sallie Giles Justice

Website: Ronald Justice for Berkley School Board on Facebook

Contact information: info@justiceforschoolboard.org

What inspired you to run? As a parent of two children, a professional and an active community member, I strongly believe a quality school district equates to a flourishing, vital community. I am concerned that recent legislation being considered and passed in Lansing may have severe adverse effects on our school district, our community and ultimately our children. I am inspired to work to be part of the solution to ensure Berkley School District continues to provide a quality learning experience for children at all levels of their education.

What are your priorities if elected? I am most interested in assisting the district in investigating alternative sources of funding; advocating for better fiscal policies that impact school funding at the state and federal level; defending our right to local control of public schools; and providing students with better access to "current" technology  and exposure to its application in real world environments.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? Having two children in the school district certainly provides access to what is going on in the school district on a daily basis. I have excellent relationships with Berkley City Council members and with leaders in our community and schools. My years of marketing experience and leadership will be a valuable contribution in helping to identify creative solutions to respond to today’s needs, as well as the long term challenges we will face.

What is your favorite thing about the Berkley School District? The strong sense of community and parent involvement. It takes much more than a healthy school system to ensure the success of students, it takes parents who are willing to do what it takes to stay involved and support their child's educational experience.

What is the biggest problem facing the district? Without a doubt it is the budget. Our district has done a great deal with the limited funding we have available but the fat has been cut. Every new cut from Lansing has a direct negative impact on our student's educational experience. We need strong leaders that are willing to stand up to those in Lansing and say enough is enough! I will work hard to advocate to legislators to start making smart policies that strengthen our schools and improve education across the state. Our kids deserve better.

Melissa Lampela   

Age: 32

Residence: Berkley

Education: Master's in Education

Political career: Just beginning

Professional career: Teacher

Personal: Mother of school-age boy in Berkley Schools

Website: Committee to Elect Melissa Lampela on Facebook

Contact information: malampela@yahoo.com

What inspired you to run? I am inspired to run and support my community’s reputation in educational leadership. As a teacher, I have seen changes in other districts because of poor planning and inevitable budget costs. As a parent and community member, I want to maintain our quality of education and help create innovative ways to generate funding and spend responsibly, while doing what is best for children and teachers.

What are your priorities if elected? If elected or not, my priorities are the students and staff. With contract negotiations and surrounding districts setting new records of uncooperative bargaining units, it is imperative that teachers’ voices be heard in connection with what is best for kids.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? I am very passionate about education and positive change. I will research ideas, policies and projects that generate and maintain income. I stand for fairness and will support teachers to the steps of Lansing. I too, will contact legislators, governors, etc., to hold on to quality education and a supportive community.

What is your favorite thing about the Berkley School District? My favorite thing about Berkley School District is that I can walk through the door and see teachers who taught me 15 years ago. The level of passion and dedication from our teachers make our schools great.

What is the biggest problem facing the district: The biggest problem facing the district is the ability to maintain our quality of education and retain quality educators during an economically challenging time while maintaining our high standards.

Mitchell Moses

Age: 52

Residence: Huntington Woods

Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration, major in accounting

Political career: First time running for public office

Professional career: I started out in the accounting field and became a CPA (certified public accountant) in 1985. I have been owner of since 1985.

Personal: My amazing wife, Gail, and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. We have three wonderful daughters. 

Website: Not available

Contact information: Not available

What inspired you to run? The steady reduction of state funding for public education resulted in the need for someone with the proper knowledge and experience to step up to help make the best financial/educational decisions for the Berkley School District.

What are your priorities if elected? To complete an analysis of the district's technology needs. Then present the findings to the public and devise a plan to meet those needs.

What sets you apart from the other candidates? I believe I possess a unique combination of experience and knowledge that has prepared me to make informed decisions for the Berkley school board.

1. I have an extensive business and accounting background to help sort through the many difficult financial decisions that are sure to surface.
2. My wife and oldest daughter are both classroom teachers. Due to many education-based discussions with them, I have acquired some insight to determine what is needed to be an excellent teacher.  
3. Also, due to my business being located in Berkley, I am vested in the community.

What is your favorite thing about the Berkley School District? The close-knit community. The high quality of a Berkley education. 

What is the biggest problem facing the district? The continuous reduction In state funding for public education.