Incumbent Barry Bomier, Clarkston Board of Education vice president, offers his experience with Clarkston schools and military.
‘There are few nobler causes than the education of young people,? Bomier said.
‘I bring a global view and local perspective. I consider it a continuation of service.?
The oath of office is similar in both, he said.
Bomier served on the Clarkston Board of Education from 1994-1996, after being elected to fill the last two years of Trustee Joe Helpern’s term. In 1994, he defeated candidate Karen Foyteck, who in turn defeated him in his 1996 reelection bid.
Both now serve on the school board. Bomier was appointed in 2004 to fill the seat vacated by Tony Miller, and elected in 2005 to a two-year term. This is his first campaign for a full, four-year term.
The main priority in his next term would be the budget ? managing resources wisely for the education of children.
‘The budget is the biggest by far,? he said.
Statewide factors such as a declining tax base, increasing retirement and medical costs, and a sluggish economy means school districts, including Clarkston, must do with less, he said.
‘Difficult decisions must be made,? he said. ‘You want a board that’s educated and up to speed, not just administrative knowledge, but also in the mechanics behind that.?
Board members? responsibilities include providing guidance, direction and a plan to the superintendent and administration, which then implements them.
‘We represent citizens and the children of this community,? he said. ‘The legacy of a community is built on the education of its children.?
Board actions in which Bomier had a hand include transition to a trimester system this fall at Clarkston High School, a new transportation plan, and consolidation of services.
Trimesters will make scheduling classes easier and more efficient for students, who must meet new state requirements. The transportation plan will reschedule start and end times at elementary schools to make busing more efficient. In consolidation, several purchasing and personnel services have been combined with other districts at the county level, he said.
‘I support consolidation issues wherever they make sense,? Bomier said.
As a certified board member with National, Michigan, and Oakland County school board associations, he has met with state and national leaders about education issues.
‘The school board is the first level of elected officials ? we need to be very vocal with our state representatives,? he said. ‘We need strong action at the state level to provide financial relief to schools.?
With the National School Board Association, he has met with members of U.S. Congress, he said.
‘We met with Rep. Mike Rogers to discuss revisions to No Child Left Behind,? he said. ‘There was a small improvement, to reduce and realign unfunded mandates.?
Bomier grew up in the Flint area, and graduated from Grand Blanc High School in 1969. He went to West Point Military Academy and graduated in 1977 with a bachelor of science degree in engineering, with concentration in national security and public affairs. He earned a degree in history at University of Michigan-Flint in 2003, and has been pursuing a master’s degree in telecommunications with University of Colorado.
As an army officer, he completed airborne and ranger training, served in Germany with the 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment and in Washington D.C. with the Pentagon. He was public affairs officer for Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf during the Gulf War in 1991. He retired as a major in 1992 after 24 years.
Presently, he works as program manager for military products with Michelin North America in Troy, developing new tires for up-armored Humvees and other military vehicles.
His wife, Gae, is a special-education teacher at Clarkston Junior High School. They have two daughters, Courtney, a special-education teacher at Lake Orion High School, and Whitney, a junior at Michigan State University.
May’s election will fill two seats on the board of education. Having four candidates is healthy for the community, Bomier said.
He supports candidate Cheryl McGinnis to join him on the board.
‘She knows the issues and has a background in accounting ? we need skills like that,? Bomier said.
Bomier joins challengers Joseph Wauldron, Edward Pierz and Cheryl McGinnis in the campaign for two open seats on the Clarkston Board of Education. The election is May 8.