Pictured (back row, from left) Mike Aenis, Thelma Chellis, Barry Anderson, Larry Cassidy; (front row, from left) Bev Osetek, Mary Jason, Jean Frentz
January is School Board Recognition Month
Commitment to all students. Compassion. Accountability. Longevity.
Those words are a few that describe the dedication it takes to serve on a public school board. For Char-Em ISD’s Board of Education, longevity has provided stability, consistency, and leadership to the organization for decades. Combined, board members have nearly 120 years of service to the ISD and its mission and vision.
What are the functions of the board? The Char-Em ISD Board of Education is charged with setting policies, ensuring financial integrity, evaluating and giving direction to the superintendent, and keeping abreast of legislative decisions that impact the finances and operations of the ISD. They serve 6-year terms and are elected to the positions by the public; sometimes, members are appointed to fill a vacancy and then they may subsequently opt to run for election. While they each reside in a particular community, members are responsible for making decisions that impact the entire 2.5-county ISD service area.
“Our board members are diligent stewards of Char-Em’s resources, and even more than that, they are compassionate individuals who believe in public education and believe in our students,” said Scott Koziol, Char-Em ISD Superintendent. “While we recognize them publicly each January, every month of the year they are working hard for all of our students, staff, and families to ensure best outcomes and safe environments for learning.”
January is School Board Recognition Month, and Char-Em is pleased to share brief profiles of each of the seven members who serve on the board.
Meet the 2023 BOE:
Mike Aenis
Community: East Jordan
Years on BOE: Appointed to fill vacancy in 2020; elected in 2022
Personal background, family and hobbies: Mike graduated from Central Lake High School. He loves to be outdoors, hunting/fishing. The activities of his two boys keep him and his wife, Jen, busy (baseball, basketball, football, soccer); Brenden is 16 years old and a sophomore, and Trever is 12 years old and in 7th grade.
Professional background: Mike has been a physical therapist with Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital for 23 years. He works at the Jordan Valley Rehab Clinic in East Jordan. He is board certified in sports physical therapy, which allows him the opportunity to be on the sidelines assisting during home East Jordan Public Schools events.
What inspired you to join the Char-Em ISD board of education?
“My medical background. Initially, I didn’t understand the full scope of what CEISD provides to all students, including students with disabilities. As I started to see the expansiveness of the ISD’s services, from CTE to alternative education to early childhood, that has kept me on the board. This is very rewarding.”
Board positions: Trustee
Board committees: Policy and Facilities
What is the best part about being on the board?
“I appreciate the high level of work and character of staff at CEISD. I also enjoy fellow board members’ willingness to be supportive of ISD initiatives. All board members feel the purpose of BOE is to support ISD staff in providing leadership, instruction and support to all students.”
What makes you the most proud to be part of Char-Em ISD?
“The work we do for children with special needs and the variety of opportunities, such as career tech and alternative education programs that are meeting all kids’ needs, makes me proud. We are innovative to engage all students in such a large geographic area. Not all kids have to go to college to find careers in their communities.”
What’s something most people might not know about you?
Mike was a tuba player in high school and was in the pep band at Grand Valley State University.
Barry Anderson
Community: Rural Charlevoix
Years on BOE: Elected in 1985
Personal background, family and hobbies: Barry has lived entirely in northern Michigan his whole life. He graduated high school from Pellston, then attended Davenport College and Ferris State University for his bachelor’s, and Central Michigan University for his master’s degree. Married 47 years to Gwen, 5 children. He enjoys horses, hunting, fishing, and golf.
Professional background: Education career – started teaching in Mackinaw City, then spent 29 years in Charlevoix Public Schools in teaching, administration, and coaching. Currently Charlevoix County compliance officer, working with probation and drug courts.
What inspired you to join the Char-Em ISD board of education? “While in education professionally, education in the state was seeing a shift away from vocational programs that were well established. I saw the value of these programs and decided to become an advocate for those programs and to keep vocational education programs strong.”
Board positions: Trustee, vice president, treasurer
Board committees: Policy and Facilities
What is the best part about being on the board? “Char-Em ISD is a great organization. Great staff and administration – so many terrific things that are happening for kids. It has been a pleasure to work with such great people over the years.”
What’s something most people might not know about you? Barry was one of the first 5 employees in Michigan hired by a new, unknown shipping company called UPS – who knew? 1963.
He has also shaken hands with John F Kennedy, Gerald Ford, and Harry Truman.
Larry Cassidy
Community: Pellston
Years on BOE: Appointed in 2019 to fill the vacancy created by the passing of his mother-in-law, Jane Roberts, a long-time Char-Em board member.
Personal background, family and hobbies: Larry was born and raised in Pellston, graduated from Pellston High School, and then attended Lake Superior State University. He is married to Molly and they have one son, Blake, who currently attends LSSU and plays basketball. He enjoys boating and golfing in the summer, and winter hobbies are traveling to watch Blake play and spending time at their “winter home” in Florida.
Professional background: Larry has been a financial advisor for approx. 22 years with Primerica, with offices in Harbor Springs and Indian River.
What inspired you to join the Char-Em ISD board of education? “I previously served as an Emmet County Commissioner for six years and had thought my political career was over, but when my mother-in-law passed away I was approached about filling her position. I knew Char-Em was a great organization, as I was teaching business classes at Pellston at that time, so I decided to join the board. After 3+ years, I am very glad I chose to be on the board as I now really know first-hand how great Char-Em is organization-wide.”
Board positions: Trustee
Board committees: Finance and Building & Grounds
What is the best part about being on the board? “I enjoy being a part of an organization that challenges the norms of education and oftentimes is leading in areas not seen elsewhere. The many great projects that have been started in my short time are so inspiring, and my goal as a board member is to continue to provide the tools needed to allow the entire organization to continue offering superior services in our area. I am always amazed at how far reaching Char-Em is and that is highlighted at our monthly board meetings during the Faculty Feature.”
What’s something most people might not know about you? “I have hit a hole-in-one.”
Thelma Chellis
Community: Ellsworth
Years on BOE: Elected in 2009
Personal background, family and hobbies: “I’m an ‘Ellsworth girl.’ I attended Ebenezer Christian School through 8th grade. I graduated from Ellsworth Community School and attended both North Central Michigan College in Petoskey and Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City.” Thelma is married to her husband, Steve, and they have 2 grown children, 2 grandchildren, and 3 granddogs. They live on the Chellis Centennial Dairy Farm on Essex Road.
Professional background: Thelma is retired from the state of Michigan, where she worked for 30 years in what was then called the Department of Social Services (now known as the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services).
What inspired you to join the Char-Em ISD board of education? “When my kids were young, I served on the local school board for 16 years. Later, I was asked to fill a one-year ISD board vacancy and here I am still. Looking back on why I became a board member: I had a full-time job, 2 kids in school, and was helping to run the family farm. I was often asked to volunteer for different boards and organizations, so I needed to decide what to take on. My choice was education. This was my passion years ago and it still is – educating our kids for their future.”
Board positions: All offices held during her tenure; currently Board President
Board committees: All during her tenure
What is the best part about being on the board? “Serving on the ISD is a learning experience; by no means do I consider myself an ‘expert’ board member. We as a board listen and learn from each other to get better as a board and do what’s best for our students area wide.”
What’s something most people might not know about you? “I am one of 15 children. That may be why I’m comfortable in crowds. My father was a local John Deere mechanic and attended Ellsworth Community School, from where all 15 of us children graduated. From our family we have more than a dozen extended family members working in or retired from education throughout the United States. It goes without saying that my mother was a stay-at-home mom.”
Jean Frentz
Community: Petoskey
Years on BOE: Appointed in 2018
Personal background, family and hobbies: Jean has 2 sons, one in Petoskey and one near South Bend, IN. Her son in Petoskey is married to Katie Frentz, a counselor at Petoskey High School. Both of her boys have twins that were born 4 months apart. She’s a member of three reading groups, one writing group, and she loves to quilt. She’s also been a member of Rotary for 34 years, including being one of the first females in her original club. Jean and her husband, Chip, love to travel. She’s been to South Africa, Australia, Europe, Panama, Costa Rica, Alaska, Russia (when it was the USSR), and most recently visited Scottsdale, Az.
Professional background: Jean began as a special education teacher working in Battle Creek. She then moved to Haslett where she continued to teach, prior to moving into administration as a director of special education and assistant superintendent. She finished her career in Okemos.
What inspired you to join the Char-Em ISD Board of Education? Jean was approached by Dr. John Scholten (former Petoskey superintendent) when an opening on the Char-Em board was created from a mid-term vacancy.
Board positions: Trustee
Board committees: Policy, and as an alternate for Personnel
What is the best part about being on the board? “Staying connected to the work that is happening within schools and within Char-Em. I am proud to be part of the ISD and all of the good things that are happening for our kids and schools.”
What makes you the most proud to be part of Char-Em ISD? Jean said she is impressed with the well thought out decisions that she hears about at board meetings and the approach to systems development. She particularly likes to hear the faculty features and administrators’ updates at the board meetings, and feels like “we have incredible staff and programming throughout the organization.”
What’s something most people might not know about you? During her travels, Jean had the opportunity to watch the Passion Play in Germany, and she lived in a Zulu community for 3 weeks in South Africa.
Mary Jason
Community: Boyne City
Years on BOE: Elected in 1993
Personal background, family and hobbies: Mary likes to spend time traveling, playing bridge, spending time with people, and reading. She and her husband, Dennis, have four children – Nathan, Amy, Jonathan and Michael. She is the fourth generation of her family to have served as president of the East Jordan school board, where her board participation began in 1977.
Professional background: Mary has spent decades providing school leadership, including holding several positions within the Boyne City Public Schools. Leadership positions included alternative school director, principal, and two stints as interim superintendent. She is also proud of her past work as the LSSU Off-Campus Program Director.
What inspired you to join the Char-Em ISD Board of Education? Mary first joined the Char-Em board to fill a vacant position; however, she remained because of her desire to do what is best for students and her commitment to serving local school districts.
Board positions: Trustee, secretary
Board committees: Personnel and Finance
What is the best part about being on the board? “I feel honored to be part of such a high-quality, leading service organization. The board’s role in promoting collaboration is one of the best parts of serving in this position.”
What makes you the most proud to be part of Char-Em ISD? Mary said she is proud of the staff, the services offered, the gracious level of support, and the relationships that she has developed and seen within the organization.
What’s something most people might not know about you? Most people do not know that in the mid-80s, Mary participated in a People to People Ambassador program that allowed her to visit China and Russia. Along the way, she was able to squeeze a side trip into Norway, and has some great experiences to share about the trip.
And … most people do not know that when working for her father’s construction company, she became skilled at operating a bulldozer.
Bev Osetek
Community: Harbor Springs
Years on BOE: Elected in 1999
Personal background, family and hobbies: Bev loves the outdoors; she enjoys walking, hiking, exploring and skiing. She loves the Marquette area in particular. She lives in an old field stone house and her tenants include sheep, a tortoise, two chickens, and goldfish. She recently set up a yurt on her property, which involved numerous hours constructing the base, insulating, and making it a cozy space year round. Bev is also creative and is a watercolor painter. She and her husband, Jim, have four children – Ben, Jesse, Andrew and Alexandra, who all live in Michigan.
Professional background: Bev graduated from Michigan State University. She spent time working at Detroit Edison as part of their marketing department and had an assigned territory. She even did cooking shows on cooking with an electric stove! Her work toward a Master’s Degree in Education at Wayne State was the beginning of her focus on education. She enjoyed a fulfilling career as a mom to her four children.
What inspired you to join the Char-Em ISD Board of Education? Bev was on the local school board for 8 years and served 3 years as president. She was asked to join the ISD Board and it continues to be a rewarding experience.
Board positions: Trustee
Board committees: Personnel, Finance, and Facilities
What is the best part about being on the board? “I enjoy being a part of a team that listens, brings diversity, and works through things. I love to hear the monthly faculty features and hearing from the administrators about all the great things going on organization-wide. I am proud to work with this organization and share the knowledge of the work with the community.”
What’s something most people might not know about you? “I live my faith.”