KHPS SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES
November 2024 Election

With over a decade of dedicated service and over twenty five years living in the Kenowa Hills community, I am honored to run again for a position on the school board.

With over 150 hours of school board classes, a level 5 master diamond award from the Michigan Association of School Boards, six years on the Michigan Association of School Boards legislative committee, and traveling two times to Washington DC to advocate for public education I have always taken my role as a school board member seriously with much enthusiasm.

I have always championed the importance of providing a well rounded education that includes robust support for the performing arts, instrumental music, sports, and innovative programs such as Pathways and special education.

Kenowa Hills holds a special place in my heart, with my daughter, future son-in-law, and son having graduated from the district, and two grandsons currently attending. My daughter now working in the district, further deepens our family’s connection to the school system.

In addition to my advocacy for the arts and education, I actively volunteer my time to support various school programs, attend marching band competitions, sporting events, and engage in meaningful discussions with fellow parents, teachers, and administrators. I believe that every student deserves the best and most equitable educational experience possible, and I will continue working to make that a reality for all students at Kenowa Hills.

I’m honored to accept endorsements from former State Representative Rob VerHeulen and current State Representative Carol Glanville. Your vote will allow me to keep serving this community, continuing our shared mission to value, support and empower our students for years to come.

Best Regards,
Melissa Courtade

My husband Tom and I are lifelong residents of Grand Rapids and have spent the last 20 years in Walker. We love the Kenowa Hills community and feel fortunate to raise our family here. Our son, Jack, is a Kenowa Hills alum and a freshman at the University of Michigan, while our daughter, Claire, is a junior at Kenowa Hills High School.

For the past four years, I’ve had the honor of serving on the Kenowa Hills Board of Education, where I’ve held roles as Trustee, Vice-President, and Board President. I’m asking for your vote this November to continue advocating for our children, families, and schools.

Collaboration is key; I will continue seeking input from parents, teachers, and community members to ensure our board's decisions reflect the needs of the families we serve. We all want the same result: for Kenowa Hills children to thrive and reach their highest potential.

I believe in a responsible, forward-thinking approach to managing our budget. This includes prioritizing essential programs, investing in long-term infrastructure, and making financially sound decisions that align with our district's strategic goals.

Kenowa Hills is a special place, and I’m dedicated to helping it continue to grow and thrive. I’m grateful for the community support behind our recent bond's success, demonstrating our collective desire for improvement. I believe in every student’s potential and am committed to providing the resources and opportunities they need to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.

I am honored to be endorsed by the Kenowa Hills Education Association and humbly ask for your support and vote this November.

Corey Turner is a dedicated community leader with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, specializing in healthcare, environment, higher education, and aging adults. A graduate of Aquinas College with a dual major in Business Administration and Communication, Turner is passionate about leveraging her skills to make a positive impact in her community. A Walker resident since 2007, Turner raised two daughters and supported them through their academic and extracurricular journeys in the district, deepening her commitment to the success of all Kenowa Hills students.

Currently, Turner serves as the Major Gifts Officer for UMRC-Porter Hills Foundation, where she focuses on building strong relationships and securing philanthropic support for healthcare and housing initiatives benefiting aging adults. Her commitment to servant leadership is reflected in her involvement with the Aquinas College Alumni Association Leadership Council, where she helps increase local high school student engagement and fosters alumni participation. In addition, Turner was a member of the Junior League of Grand Rapids, serving on various committees. Her work with these organizations exemplifies her passion for community service and leadership.

Since joining the Kenowa Hills School Board in 2022, Turner has been involved in monitoring the progress of a district strategic plan and played a pivotal role in getting a school bond passed in Spring 2024. This bond will lead to campus-wide improvements, including expanding school property, enhancing safety measures, and investing in athletic and community spaces.

My name is Mark vanKuik and I am running for a seat on the Kenowa Hills School Board in this upcoming election. I believe in the importance of being cognizant of the curriculum in our community’s schools so that my and all our children may receive the best education possible.

I live in the City of Walker with my wife and two children, both of which attend school in the Kenowa Hills School District. I graduated from Jenison Public Schools in 1994, during which I earned the rank of Eagle Scout. I graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences. I’ve been studying Tai Chi Praying Mantis Kung Fu for almost 25 years and have been an assistant instructor since 2009.

I currently work as an administrative assistant for a civil engineering firm. Before settling into my current career, I have held many different positions including being a dishwasher and busser, spot welder, projectionist and director at a movie theater, lab technician, and customer service representative.

With my wide scope of experience in both my career and studies, I’m confident that my unique skill set would bring value to the Kenowa Hills Public School District. As a school board member, I would recognize the importance of both the physical and mental aspects of education.

I want to put a focus on strengthening our children’s education in the basics of reading, writing, arithmetic, science and U.S. history, back to basics.

I would like Kenowa Hills School District adopt a policy for accepting and storing bitcoin as a store of value with the goal of reducing the tax bill for the community.

I believe the best way to improve our public education system is by getting involved and would like to make it easier for parents and guardians to volunteer with reading, writing, and arithmetic, with the primary focus being on elementary-level students.

I ask for your vote this coming election for a chance to serve on the Kenowa Hills School Board so that I may take part in helping the next generation thrive.