These candidates want a say in how Michigan’s students learn

An empty classroom with chairs upside down on desks.
Four major-party candidates are vying for two open seats on Michigan’s state board of education. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)

Two people will be elected to the state board of education at a time of uncertainty for education in Michigan, as school leaders deal with the ramifications of the pandemic and growing concerns about equity.

Two seats are open on the eight-member board, which for much of the last two decades has been controlled by Democrats. The two people elected will serve eight-year terms.

Major party candidates running include Democrats Ellen Cogen Lipton and Jason Strayhorn, and Republicans Tami Carlone and Michelle Frederick. 

Minor party candidates include: Bill Hall and Richard A. Hewer, Libertarian Party; Karen Adams and Douglas Levesque, U.S. Taxpayers Party; Mary Anne Hering and Hali McEachern, Working Class Party; Tom Mair, Green Party.

The state board’s main functions are to establish policy, set standards, and hire and oversee the state superintendent (who in turn oversees the Michigan Department of Education).

Here is what the major-party candidates had to say about key issues (Click on the candidate’s name in the tabs below to read their responses):

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Biden’s Justice Department found outstanding issues in Newark’s English language learner program, but under Trump, federal oversight stopped without saying if they were resolved.

The likelihood of a strike is unclear. But if PFT leaders do call a strike of their 14,000 members, it could disrupt the opening days of the new school year. The 2025-26 school year begins August 18 for staff and August 25 for students.

The Trump administration cut the group’s funding, which supports efforts to help students and schools nationwide.

Airport officials are also considering a second child care center that would serve a wider swath of employees.

Outgoing CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said he underestimated how hard it would be to convince Mayor Brandon Johnson to release money collected in tax-increment-financing districts.

Schools received a modest increase in the state budget. But Marion County education leaders are still trying to figure out what sweeping changes to local property taxes will mean.