Frank Skrocki is the only candidate seeking the one year remaining in the unexpired term of David Harris on the Glen Lake Board of Education in Tuesday's election.

Frank Skrocki

He has served in the position since his appointment last spring.

Skrocki lives in Empire with his wife Beryl with their three children, Ella, 13, Reiss, 11, and Annabel, 8.

The couple owns Sleeping Bear Surf and Kayak, and Frank Sckrocki works as environmental treatment specialist for ProAct Service Corp. He is also is a member of the Empire Planning Commission and a volunteer and soccer coach with the Leelanau Youth Soccer Organization.

We ask Skrocki three questions. Here are his 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?

Skrocki: I would like the budget to show that Glen Lake is investing in the infrastructure and resources to bring current technology into the classroom. Because of past budgetary constraints we have had to shelve these initiatives for too long. Over the next two years I will take steps to keep it on the top of our agenda, help with the plans and establish goals to get our students and teaching staff the resources they need.

Question No. 2: More than 30 percent of all students at Glen Lake do not reside in the district, opting to exercise a “school of choice” option. Is having so many students commuting to Glen Lake a healthy situation for the future of the district?

Skrocki: School of choice families have been a benefit to Glen Lake. The addition of SOC kids in the district has provided us the ability to have robust programs in the form of solid class sizes, participation in theater, music and our athletic programs. I will continue to support the SOC program during my term.

Question No. 3: As recently as two years ago, Glen Lake and Suttons Bay shared the same superintendent although the outcome of that arrangement has not been lauded. Are you reluctant to enter into future collaboration agreements with neighboring school districts, or would you embrace more collaboration?

Skrocki: I did not support the sharing of a superintendent; I believe that move was stretching its intent. Each district is unique and needs a superintendent locally vested and involved. I support collaboration efforts on other fronts ranging from class offerings, technology sharing, to food service. It can make good financial sense and has the potential to benefit both students and staff.