Capitol News

The upcoming Ingham Intermediate School District election was a topic of discussion at a recent board Haslett Board of Education meeting.

The district holds an election every two years to designate members to the board to represent a collection of school districts in the region. These board members are not elected by the public, but instead are chosen by representatives from each of the districts within the ISD. Those representatives are also members elected to their own school board.

The Haslett school board nominated Amy Clark to represent its district, and Greg Bird was chosen as the alternate to serve as backup.

Board member Cammy Wheeler assured them it was a great time and fairly easy process, as she had done it before, saying it was a perfect time “to chat and meet people, and [then] you cast your vote.” 

The election is set for 6 p.m. June 5 at the Thorburn Education Center.

“Be it resolved that this board does hereby approve the designation of Amy Clark as the representative of this board for the electoral body, which body will elect two candidates to the vacancies on the ISD board on Monday, June 5, 2023, and Greg Bird as an alternate in the events that the designated representative is unable to attend.” Haslett Board President Molly Polverento said. 

The Haslett board had a fairly easy time deciding which candidates to support in the election, as there are two candidates vying for two vacant seats.

The candidates, Lori Zajac and John Wolenberg, are also incumbents, both serving out their current terms. In addition, Zajac serves as ISD board president.

Polverento asked if there were any concerns in backing these candidates, and all board members were confident in supporting them.

As part of the annual approval process, the Haslett board also gave the green light to the proposed general fund of the Ingham ISD.

The ISD Board of Education requires the approval of all of its school districts on the budget before it can vote on the spending plan. The ISD budget does not impact funding or budgets of constituent districts — it is to add a level of transparency in how they fund and run their operations. Besides Haslett schools, the Ingham ISD includes Dansville, East Lansing, Holt, Lansing, Leslie, Mason, Okemos, Stockbridge, Waverly, Webberville and Williamston schools.