MCC board to appoint new board member Monday.

MCC board to appoint new board member Monday.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

SCOTTVILLE — The Mason County Central Board of Education is expected to appoint a new board member when it meets Monday, Dec. 14. Four people have requested consideration for the board seat left vacant upon the recent resignation of Jeff Barnett. Those candidates include Steven Griswold, Tom McLouth, Oscar Davila, and Rebecca Frederick.

Griswold stated, in his letter of interest, that he grew up in Mason County. He and his wife returned to Mason County five years ago. They have two children who both attend MCC. He is employed as the portfolio director at Jacobs Engineering Group. He is an attorney and earned his juris doctorate degree from Wayne State University. He also has a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University. “I look forward to applying what I’ve learned to collaboratively develop solutions with the other board members that will positively impact the future of Mason County Central Schools,” Griswold stated.

McLouth said he is involved in the sports booster club and has served as an assistant on the junior varsity football team. He has three sons, ages 19, 16, and 13. His oldest graduated from MCC and the other two are current students.

Davila has a daughter who attends MCC. He has been a resident of Mason County for 21 years. As chief deputy for the Mason County Sheriff’s Office, Davila has been instrumental in overseeing MCC’s school safety plan and training teachers, staff and students what to do in the case of various emergency situations, including active shooter.

“I am passionate about safety and serving others, but as a father, I also have a desire to do what is best for the future of our children and I feel there has never been a more critical and opportunistic time for our community to collaborate and effect positive changes,” he stated. “The dynamics are vast, but ultimately, the greatest impact will be to our children today and the generations ahead. What and how we teach them will have long-term effects for them as well as our communities.”

Frederick is a high school chemistry, forensics, and physical science teacher who works for High Point Virtual Academy of Michigan. She has an associate degree from West Shore Community College, bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University and a master’s degree in biology and education from Ferris State University.

“Being on the Mason County Board has long been a privilege I have wanted to be a part of for a long time and the desire to build the Mason County School District is part of that vision,” she stated. “I have a passion for education and the efforts to raise a strong district at every level which makes me a strong advocate for Mason County Central students, the school and those affiliated with the Mason County Central environment.”

The board of education will conduct online interviews of the candidates beginning at 5:30 p.m. beginning with Davila at 5:40 p.m.; Frederick at 5:55 p.m.; Griswold at 6:10 p.m. and McLouth at 6:25 p.m. The appointment will be made during the regular monthly meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. Both the interviews and the regular meeting are open to the public.

Due to the pandemic, an order from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services prohibits in-person meetings. The public meeting will be held on-line. Access may be gained at meet.google.com/ifa-qhwc-wcm; or calling 1-361-360-8510, access code 620-393-532#.

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