EDITOR’S NOTE: Most of the information for this story was provided by Laurie Zywiczynski, public relations specialist for the Wayland Union School District.
Two of the three contests for seats on the boards of education for Martin, Hopkins and Wayland school districts will be very quiet in the Nov. 8 general election.
Hopkins will have incumbent Jeff Gilder and newcomer Traci Rhoades unopposed for two open seats and Rosemary Andrews was the only candidate for file for two seats in Martin.
However, Wayland will have a five-for-four race with three incumbents joined by two newcomers on the ballot. The incumbents are President Tom Salingue and Trustees Theresa Dobry and Gary Wood. Seeking office for the first time are Cinnamon Mellema and Dan Cassini.
Longtime Wayland School Board member Nancy Thelen has decided not to seek re-election.
Cinnamon Mellema
A 1990 graduate of Way
land High School, she describes herself as dedicated to her family, her hometown and public education. She and her husband, Scott, have two children, Reilly and Johnnie.
Cinnamon has been a teacher for Kentwood Public Schools and teacher consultant for the Kent Career Technical Center. She earned a bachelor of science degree from Western Michigan University, a master of arts degree in special education from Grand Valley State University and a master of education degree in education administration from Western Michigan University.
Her involvement in the community includes volunteering with Wayland Elementary Parent Association, Wayland Middle School Parent Advisory Committee, and volunteering at various events when asked.
“Wayland has tremendous potential for growth and enrichment,” Mellema said.” I want to combine my experience as a Wayland graduate, a parent and a community member with my extensive knowledge of the public school system to help our schools reach that potential. Wayland should provide every opportunity for students to work hard and graduate with knowledge that arms them for success in any path they choose.”
Dan Cassini
A resident of Wayland for 12 years, Cassini has three children, Brady, Reese and Izabel, all currently attending Wayland.
“I’ve been fortunate and proud to serve our great nation for the past 19-plus years in the United States Air Force/Michigan Air National Guard as a munitions and training specialist with the 110th Attack Wing in Battle Creek.”
Cassini graduated from Fremont High School and earned a bachelor of science degree in organizational management at Spring Arbor University.
“I’m community oriented and devoted to bringing people together,” he said, noting he is the founder, director and a coach for the Wayland flag football program and an assistant to the varsity football team. He also is an associate head coach of the 10U West Michigan Outlaws Baseball team.
“I love golfing, camping, skiing and the outdoors if it’s spent with my family,” he said. “My faith is an important piece to my life and my family and I attend Corinth Reformed Church.”
He also holds board seats on the Wayland Union Education Foundation and Wayland Youth Baseball & Softball League.
Tom Salingue
First elected to the board in November 2012 to a four-year term, he also had been appointed from June to November 2012. Besides being school board president, he serves as president of the Wayland Youth Baseball & Softball League.
He and his wife Sherry live in Wayland Township and have two sons, Mitchell and Owen.
Salingue is a graduate of Martin High School and earned his bachelor’s begree in business administration from Western Michigan University. He owns the Farmers Insurance Agency in Wayland and has been self-employed since 1997. He enjoys camping with his family, downhill skiing, boating, fishing and coaching youth sports.
Theresa Dobry
Dobry was firs
t elected in May 2011 and is serving a four-year term expiring on Dec. 31, 2016. She lives in Dorr and her husband, Steve, is a 1988 Wayland High School graduate. Together they have three children, Justin and Haley who attend Wayland High School and Brady who attends Wayland Middle School.
Originally from Scottville and a 1990 grad of (Mason County Central High School, she holds a bachelor of science degree in office systems from Northern Michigan University. Past work experience includes the Dow Chemical Company and We Market Success.
She has more than seven years experience working as a substitute teacher in the area and attends St. Therese Catholic Church.
Gary Wood
First elected to th
e board in May 2009 and then again in May 2012, Wood has served as board treasurer, secretary and twice as president. During his term, he has completed the necessary course work to earn the designation of Certified Board Member and the Award of Merit through the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB).
Wood has lived in the Wayland school district since 2002 and is a resident of Leighton Township. He has six children with three currently enrolled in the local district; one at the high school, one at Pine Street Elementary and one at Dorr Elementary.
Wood is a senior project chemist, a member of the corporate leadership team and his company’s representative on the Michigan Environmental Laboratory Association (MELA) at TriMatrix Laboratories, Inc. in Grand Rapids.
He earned a bachelor of science degree and is an alumnus of Michigan State University, Aquinas College and Grand Rapids Community College.
He said he enjoys spending time with his family and friends along with hunting, fishing, sailing and cheering for his kids in sports and in life.
With a life guided focus on the Down Syndrome Association, he “promotes the acceptance, inclusion and growth of anyone who’s special needs benefit from additional time, resources and a little extra love.”
