Two candidates are seeking election to the two available seats on the Northport Board of Education.

Longtime board member Lois Counterman is not seeking re-election. Jeff Dyer, appointed last year to serve the last year remaining in an unexpired term, is a candidate for a 4-year seat. Thomas Wetherbee is seeking election to the other available seat.

We asked the candidates three questions. Here are their responses:

Question No. 1 —Let’s say you have a crystal ball that is capable of showing your school district’s budget at the end of the four-year term you are seeking. What does that budget show, and what steps did you lead the district through to get there?

Dyer: I do see a streamlining of the budget to prioritize monies for essential programs. It may take some curriculum creativity and financial creativity to provide a balanced budget. The normal “way of doing business” may have to be modified in the future. I hope the board and administration can work together to cut unnecessary spending and come to a consensus on financial priorities.

Wetherbee: Northport Public School went through a budgetary crunch during the tenure of the previous superintendent. Having survived that, the school district is now financially in good shape barring any major changes from the State of Michigan. Many other local districts are now facing the same challenges that Northport previously faced, so in some respects it is nice to have that behind us. Of course it is always the responsibility of a school board to be good stewards of the community’s money.

Question 2 — The district is defending its special education program through an administrative appeal made by a parent who is also a Board of Education member. Do you believe the appeal process will benefit or set back the Northport school district?

Dyer: As a current Northport School Board trustee, I feel it would be irresponsible and unprofessional to comment on the mater at this time. I would like to comment once the matter is settled.

Wetherbee: Not being a parent of the involved child, or presently a member of the school board, I can comment on this matter only as a member of the community, and I hesitate for fear of making the matter even more divisive. I will restrict my comments to one: it is very difficult to serve two masters.

Question 3 — Enrollment has declined at Northport for several years, which has been identified as a threat to the continuation of the district. Is this trend reversible?

Dyer: I feel the enrollment trend can be reversed. I do not want a huge school, but one that is capable of sustaining itself with an advantageous class size. “Quality, not quantity”. Graduating the highest number of the highest quality students is an import achievement. My goal is to provide a great learning experience with as many benefits as possible for our students.

Wetherbee: There are two aspects to the reduction in enrollment: per student compensation and quality of education. Northport Public School is not dependent on maintaining a number of students to maintain funding. In this respect, Northport is financially decoupled from enrollment. Quality of education is another issue. With smaller enrollment comes fewer options, particularly in the area of sports, but also increased opportunity for personalized education. Several efforts are underway in the community to help draw students to the area. I am confident that these will offer some measure of success, but even if they do not, Northport’s emphasis on personalized education and academic excellence will continue to make Northport an outstanding district.