Editor's Note: Fifth in a series of profiles of Traverse City Area Public Schools Board of Education candidates. Read the entire series in our election section at record-eagle.com/election.
TRAVERSE CITY -- Mary Ufford Manner knows what happens when organizations have to cut back.
Last October, Manner's position as education director at the Great Lakes Children's Museum -- a role she'd held for six years -- was eliminated when the nonprofit restructured.
Ultimately, she understands the financial challenges nonprofits, including schools, face today. And although it's not easy, she believes it is a chance for an organization to rethink the way it does business.
"We can't save our way out of this budget crisis or any future budget crisis," said Manner, 57, who seeks a spot on Traverse City's school board. "Things are changing so fast. We can't stick with an education model from the past. We've got to grow."
Manner is vying Nov. 3 for one of two, four-year terms on the board, a race that includes incumbent Suzann Brooke and challengers Julie Davis, Kelly Hall and Julie Puckett.
Traverse City's district has "enormous potential" to form partnerships, which would enrich learning and generate revenue to offset budget shortfalls, Manner said.
For instance, she said, a woodlot near Traverse Heights Elementary could host community programs. The district could create a water-based curriculum with the help of the Inland Seas Education Association or the Northwestern Michigan College Water Studies Institute.
The state needs to reform the way it funds public schools, said Manner, an advocate for equity funding. Until then, the district needs to actively seek foundation grants and gifts.
Chalk it up to her experience with nonprofits: Besides the museum, Manner has worked with the Traverse City Music Boosters and Fourth and Goal. She also was co-chairwoman of a citizens' group in support of the district's 2007 bond campaign.
"I'm a big-picture thinker," said Manner, who sought to fill 2008 member-elect Amy Sutherland's seat in January. "Kids could benefit if we had ways of fully utilizing our resources."
And if the district was clearer about what it hopes to accomplish. Its mission statement needs more detail about what type of education it wants to provide and how it will be delivered, Manner said, so it can better align itself with grantmakers.
The board ideally would make it easier for citizens to speak about such topics, possibly through informal chats, since official public comment sessions might be "intimidating" to some people, she said.
With change imminent, "it would be nice to know what people think works," Manner said. "We're not operating in a vacuum."
About the candidate
Name: Mary Ufford Manner
Age: 57
Residence: Traverse City
Education: Graduated from Interlochen Arts Academy in 1970; bachelor's and master's degrees in zoology from Michigan State University
Work: Former education director at Great Lakes Children's Museum; previously worked as a teacher's aide at Old Mission Peninsula School and taught science programs in nature centers, museums and schools
Family: Divorced; son Richard, 23, 2008 Michigan State University graduate; son Tom, 20, computer engineering junior at Michigan State University; son Al, 18, no-preference freshman at Michigan State University
Web site: Plans to launch a campaign page on Facebook
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