North Michigan News

The Glen Lake Schools Community Board in Maple City, Michigan, thanked one of their own for their service Dec. 12 during a meeting.

Board member Jason Homa’s term expires at the end of December, so the school board took the opportunity at his final meeting to thank him for all he has done over the past six years, according to a video of the meeting posted to the board’s YouTube page.

“I was just delighted when you first decided to run or go through that process and become part of the board just because I see you as a super upstanding person,” said board member, Brooke Hazael-Massieux. “But then with that whole process that you brought, I mean, I just remember the very first retreats and just going through the whole core values, the way that I mean, you really have a gift with this and you just expertly facilitated this really difficult thing, and we walk out of here with a vision for the organization and really that whole process has enabled us to just stay sort of above the noise and just really focus on the work.”

One resident, Sue Pierce, thanked Homa and the entire board, saying “they would be known as the board who saved everyone.”

“We are going to miss you, and the value you brought to the students, the board, the organization went way beyond my imagination,” said board member, Rick Schanhals. “You told me you had this process you went through with Cherry Republic. It went way beyond what I expected, and it solidified my thinking. It's given us direction and it’s something that we can build on in the future and I know you’re going to help us with that. I'm just proud that you're on the board. My one major dissapointment with you is that you chose not to run again.” 

Each board member thanked Jason for his dedication to the school district, according to the video. They recounted how he stayed calm and determined throughout the pandemic and led the board through many difficult decisions and changes.