Elections for three Grant Public School District seats will be held on Nov. 5, 2024.

Grant Public School District is a school district in Michigan (Muskegon and Newaygo counties). During the 2023 school year, 1,638 students attended one of the district’s five schools.

The elections are happening after an effort to recall two board members took place. Local news outlet Near North Now said the recall “significantly divided the county’s gateway city with scathing social media postings, heated school board meetings and deep-seated resentments coming to the surface throughout the district.”

In 2023, the board voted to end its contract with the health agency running a health center in the district’s middle school with no publicly stated reason. According to the Detroit Free Press’ Arpan Lobo, “The lack of transparency around the vote led some in the community to speculate it centered on a mural painted at the health center which included a drawing of a character wearing a transgender pride flag, after a group of parents had raised objections about the mural the year before…while the district later agreed to remain contracted with the agency and keep the health center, the new agreement stipulated the mural must be removed.” The recall effort targeted two members, Rachal Gort and Richard Vance, both of whom were retained.

The November elections are for three seats on the board. Voters can vote for no more than two candidates in an election.

Incumbents Rachal Gort and Ken Thorne, and challenger Jim Renney are running for a six-year term.

The Concerned Parents Coalition of Michigan has endorsed both Gort and Thorne. The group’s website says they are “dedicated to empowering parents to influence their children’s education, ensuring that it aligns with family values and protects children from harmful influences.” The group’s website says Gort’s “vision for the district is anchored in conservative values and an unwavering commitment to educational excellence. She advocates for an environment free from external influences, prioritizing fundamental skills and ensuring school safety.” Thorne is president of the board and deputy treasurer of the Newaygo GOP. The party’s website says Ken “considers himself a Constitutionalist and a strong proponent of small government.” Thorne and Gort voted to revoke funding for the health center.

Renney is an IT manager for a local health center. Renney says he is running because “I believe that the current board does not have the students’ best interest at heart, and want to help lead the district in preserving and restoring the district back in a positive and collaborative direction.”

Incumbents Richard Vance and Jason McKinley, and challenger Lindsay Mahlich are running for a two-year term.

Vance is a former teacher and business owner. He has said that he wants to “continue to promote Tradition in Curriculum Standards and Community Values, Truth in Student needs and Parental Rights, and Trustworthiness in Financial Matters and Administrative Functions.” Vance voted to revoke funding from the health center. Mahlich has worked in technology for over 20 years. She says she is running because “I believe a strong public school system helps build a stronger economy and community. I want to be part of the solution that makes our school system a great place for families and staff to excel.” She ran against Vance in the recall election. Incumbent McKinley is running for re-election. The Concerned Parents Coalition of Michigan has endorsed both Vance and McKinley.

A third candidate, Rick Fish, is running unopposed for another seat in the district. His term will last for four years. The Concerned Parents Coalition of Michigan has endorsed Fish.

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