Ottawa Area Intermediate School District Board races take shape; three seats open
The Ottawa Area Intermediate School District aims to fill three seats on its board of education following the June 2 special election.
HOLLAND — The Ottawa Area Intermediate School District aims to fill three seats on its board of education following the June 2 special election.
Two of the positions offer full six-year terms, expiring June 30, 2031, while the third is a partial term ending June 30, 2027. The two full-term openings present a significant opportunity to influence regional education policy for several years.
What is the OAISD?
In Michigan, an intermediate school district is a regional educational service agency, typically organized at the county or multi-county level. ISDs provide support and services to local school districts, including public schools and charter schools.
ISDs were formed in Michigan through Public Act 190 in 1962, which covers the state’s 83 county school districts.
ISDs are structured as separate taxing units to provide various administrative and instructional services to local school districts. All Michigan ISDs have elected board members. However, unlike school board members in local school districts who are popularly elected by the residents of a given school district, many ISD boards of education — including Ottawa’s OAISD — are chosen by the board members of each local school district within its borders. Each ISD has a superintendent who is hired by the board of education.
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OAISD’s districts include Allendale, Coopersville, Grand Haven, Hamilton, Holland, Hudsonville, Jenison, Saugatuck, Spring Lake, West Ottawa, and Zeeland.
The Ottawa Area ISD plays a crucial role in the region's education, providing shared resources and services to local K-12, charter, parochial, private and adult education programs. More information about the OAISD is available at oaisd.org.
Who’s who
Some current members of the board are not seeking re-election, including current Board Secretary Robyn Afrik of West Ottawa.
Meanwhile, current Board Vice President Rick Dernberger of Zeeland has announced his candidacy for one of two six-year seats, bringing incumbent experience to the race.
Here are the other nonpartisan candidates up against Dernberger for the six-year seat:
- Amanda Price, Holland
- Jennifer Cymbola, Jenison
The partial term became available following Carol Slagh's March resignation. The OAISD board temporarily appointed retired Superintendent Pete Haines to fill the seat until the election.
Candidate John Siemion, of Grand Haven, is running for the partial-term seat.
Seat Type | Term Length | Expiration Date | Incumbent Status |
Six-Year Term | July 1, 2025- | June 30, 2031 | Robyn Afrik (Not Seeking) |
Six-Year Term | July 1, 2025- | June 30, 2031 | Rick Dernberger (Seeking) |
Partial Term | July 1, 2025- | June 30, 2027 | Carol Slagh (Vacated) |
Slagh's departure marked the end of over two decades of service to Ottawa County education. She initially joined the OAISD board in January 2004 and subsequently won election to a partial term in 2005, followed by three six-year terms in 2009, 2015, and 2021.
Her current term was to run until June 2027. Before her time with the OAISD, Slagh also dedicated multiple terms to the Zeeland Public Schools Board of Education.
— Heather VanDyke covers northern Ottawa County for the Ottawa News Network. Contact her at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.
