3 challenge 2 GRPS board members

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) -- Three challengers will take on two sitting Grand Rapids Public Schools board members in the May election.

First-term incumbent Harry Campbell and third-term incumbent Amy McGlynn face challengers Roger McClary, Jon O'Connor and Maureen Quinn Slade. The filing deadline was 4 p.m. Tuesday.

The top two vote-getters in the May 4 contest will win a seat on the board.

McClary, who is out of work, told 24 Hour News 8 he is concerned about how the district has approved contracts and wants to bring more transparency to the board. He said he also wanted to change how public comment is handled.

O'Connor, a real estate appraiser who is president of the West Grand Neighborhood Association, said he sees the success of his neighborhood and public schools as intertwined. He said the board needs west side representation, which is does not currently have.

Slade worked for GRPS for 21 years as a teacher and administrator. She left in 1993 to work at the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency. She retired from that agency in 2003, last serving as deputy superintendent. Slade said she would bring expertise to the board, adding that now is a critical time for schools -- dealing with budget problems and federal legislation.

Campbell has served on the board since 2007. In a statement announcing his re-election bid, Campbell pushed the idea of selling the district's Franklin Campus headquarters and moving administrators out into the schools. He said much has been accomplished during his term, but much work is left to do.

McGlynn, the board's secretary, has served on the board since 2000. She served as board president during part of her tenure. As chair of the board's education committee, McGlynn has supported grading reforms she and administrators have said give students more opportunities to succeed.