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Ballots for 3 open Charter board spots to be mailed Friday
By Alejandra Diaz / alex@misuntimes.com
Parents will soon be making three decisions about the leadership at the Marco Island Charter Middle School.
The school board has three open positions -- one parent position and two non-parent positions.
Parents will make the final decision on who will occupy those board spots in a mail ballot.
Ballots will be mailed to charter school parents on Nov. 20 along with biographies of each candidate.
"We are looking for the best and people committed to raising funds for the school," said Jennifer Tenney, board secretary.
As a board, members have to raise a significant amount of money to operate the school.
"It's a big responsibility and these candidates have stepped up," Tenney said.
Selection process
Prior to getting on the ballot, candidates undergo fingerprinting, show proof that they don't work or have worked for the school and submit resumes with personal biographies.
During a Thursday meeting, the charter school board approved the slate of candidates for parent ballots.
The board, which holds elections every year, includes nine members that serve staggered three-year terms.
Rules mandate that the board have a majority of non-parent members.
"They are the governing board. It's charged ... (finding money) and setting policy," said Charter Principal George Abounader, who answers to the board and implements their decisions.
Next meeting
Ballots must be returned by parents via mail or drop-off at school by 5 p.m. on Dec. 8.
"That night, we have three people, including myself, who count the ballots at a public meeting," Tenney said.
The board will convene at a Dec. 10 annual school board meeting to seat the new members.
Biographies of candidates
The candidate biographies below were provided by George Schroll following approval from the Marco Island Charter Middle School School Board Thursday. They are printed without editing as the board has approved the wording.
Nominees for the one available parent position include:
* Norka T. Malberg-Franco
Norka, the mother of two current MICMS students, holds three Masters degrees in Educations and Psychology and a Doctorate in Psychoanalytic Psychology.
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Costa Rica, she received a B.A. in Psychology from Florida International University and a M.S. in Education from Harvard.
Following this, and accompanied by her family, she studied and practiced her profession over a 15 year period in Chile, Switzerland and England, receiving her Ph.D. from University College London in 2007, before returning to the U.S.
Norka has made seven presentations to professional organizations in Puerto Rico, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.
In the area of fundraising she has, over the years, used her grant-writing skills to secure a total of $800,000 and is confident she can use this ability to benefit MICMS. As a full-time volunteer for the past year, she has developed and coordinated the Eagle Ambassador's Club, a successful leadership and peer mentoring program at the Charter School.
* Mario R. Sanchez
Mario, the father of a MICMS student, holds a B.A in Business Administration and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Florida International University. Born in Cuba, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1962 at age 16, and was followed by his parents six years later, and in 1973 became a U.S. citizen.
At age 17 he joined the U.S. Marines and served in a Special Forces unit for three years and on early release enrolled at FIU, earning a B.A. degree in Finance in 1979. During the next 12 years he founded and operated an international computer consulting company and then returned to FIU to earn an M.S. in Computer Science.
During this period he also worked for NASA developing new database technology that led to his recruitment by two prominent public companies, AIG, and subsequently by Newgen as Chief Information Officer. When the latter company was sold he took this opportunity to return to FIU to obtain his Doctorate.
Since 2003 he has been a professor of Computer Science at Miami Dade College and is also an adjunct professor at FIU. Mario has a record of procuring federal grants and offers to use this skill to benefit MICMS.
Nominees for the two available non-parent positions include:
* William F. Hollowsky
Bill, who received a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, is a CPA, and since 2006 has been the General Manager of Opportunity Management, SunGard Higher Education, and is responsible for solving business problems in higher education.
Since moving to Marco Island in 1994, he has been an active community volunteer and currently serves on the City of Marco Island Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee as well as the Audit Committee. He strongly supports the concept of a Charter Middle School and wants all charter school students to enjoy the opportunity to receive a top education. Bill also hopes to use his financial knowledge and experience with not-for-profit organizations to assist with fundraising activities and the planned Endowment Campaign.
He also believes his five years of board experience with the Post Secondary Electronic Standards Council, where he now serves as Chairman, will allow him to make significant contributions to the MICMS Board.
* Lisa M. Meurgue
Lisa, who served on the Board as a parent in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years, hopes to serve again in a non-parent position now that two of her children have graduated while the third has yet to enter. She has a B.B.A. degree from St. Norbert College with majors in International Business and French.
After working in the hospitality industry in the Bahamas, banking in Chicago and teaching in Ireland Lisa came to Florida where she and her husband have been in the restaurant business since 1999. She is very active in civic affairs and is passionate in seeking the continuing success of the MICMS, and is determined to have it remain a charter school.
She would very much like to research grant opportunities as well as use the fund raising skills she has demonstrated with the Restaurant Association, Dancing with the Stars, MICMS Cheerleading and other organizations to further assist the school.
* Frank R. Recker
Frank earned a B.S. from Xavier University, a D.D.S. from Ohio State in 1971 and a J.D. from Northern Kentucky University in 1981. A dentist licensed to practice in Ohio and Florida he is also an attorney who represents dentists and dental organizations in legal matters throughout the U.S., having been admitted by ten state, district or federal bar associations.
He is very active in civic affairs and is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Marco Island City Counsel, and serves on the Boards of the Marco Community Bank, Marco Island Civic Association and several condominium associations.
Frank hopes to maintain the exemplary status of the MICMS as well as assist in fundraising efforts utilizing his experience in this area and his knowledge of, and acquaintance with, civic-minded people who are able to contribute or assist in securing contributions.
* James M. Reinders
Jim, who has served 6 years as a parent School Board member plus 2 years as the School Board President and Chair of the Building Committee for the permanent facilities the school now enjoys, hopes to continue to contribute to the success of MICMS.
With a B.S in Psychology from Michigan and a law degree from the University of Florida, he spent a career in real estate consulting, investment and development before retiring. Jim and his wife Andrea are on the top 5 Volunteer Honor Roll for the school. He notes that during his time on the Board the school consistently ranked at an A+ level, set a standard for excellence in FCAT performance, increased parental contributions and volunteerism, improved discipline, maintained focus on the core curriculum and increased teacher salaries to lead Collier County, all the while maintaining a balanced budget and adding to operating reserves.
MORE INFORMATION
* Ballots will be mailed to parents on Friday (Nov. 20). They must be mailed back or dropped off at the school by 5 p.m. on Dec. 8.
* A public meeting will be held to open ballots on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. with new members seated on Dec. 10.
For more information, call 377-3200.
The school board has three open positions -- one parent position and two non-parent positions.
Parents will make the final decision on who will occupy those board spots in a mail ballot.
Ballots will be mailed to charter school parents on Nov. 20 along with biographies of each candidate.
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"We are looking for the best and people committed to raising funds for the school," said Jennifer Tenney, board secretary.
As a board, members have to raise a significant amount of money to operate the school.
"It's a big responsibility and these candidates have stepped up," Tenney said.
Selection process
Prior to getting on the ballot, candidates undergo fingerprinting, show proof that they don't work or have worked for the school and submit resumes with personal biographies.
During a Thursday meeting, the charter school board approved the slate of candidates for parent ballots.
The board, which holds elections every year, includes nine members that serve staggered three-year terms.
Rules mandate that the board have a majority of non-parent members.
"They are the governing board. It's charged ... (finding money) and setting policy," said Charter Principal George Abounader, who answers to the board and implements their decisions.
Next meeting
Ballots must be returned by parents via mail or drop-off at school by 5 p.m. on Dec. 8.
"That night, we have three people, including myself, who count the ballots at a public meeting," Tenney said.
The board will convene at a Dec. 10 annual school board meeting to seat the new members.
Biographies of candidates
The candidate biographies below were provided by George Schroll following approval from the Marco Island Charter Middle School School Board Thursday. They are printed without editing as the board has approved the wording.
Nominees for the one available parent position include:
* Norka T. Malberg-Franco
Norka, the mother of two current MICMS students, holds three Masters degrees in Educations and Psychology and a Doctorate in Psychoanalytic Psychology.
Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Costa Rica, she received a B.A. in Psychology from Florida International University and a M.S. in Education from Harvard.
Following this, and accompanied by her family, she studied and practiced her profession over a 15 year period in Chile, Switzerland and England, receiving her Ph.D. from University College London in 2007, before returning to the U.S.
Norka has made seven presentations to professional organizations in Puerto Rico, Switzerland, the U.K. and the U.S.
In the area of fundraising she has, over the years, used her grant-writing skills to secure a total of $800,000 and is confident she can use this ability to benefit MICMS. As a full-time volunteer for the past year, she has developed and coordinated the Eagle Ambassador's Club, a successful leadership and peer mentoring program at the Charter School.
* Mario R. Sanchez
Mario, the father of a MICMS student, holds a B.A in Business Administration and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Science from Florida International University. Born in Cuba, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1962 at age 16, and was followed by his parents six years later, and in 1973 became a U.S. citizen.
At age 17 he joined the U.S. Marines and served in a Special Forces unit for three years and on early release enrolled at FIU, earning a B.A. degree in Finance in 1979. During the next 12 years he founded and operated an international computer consulting company and then returned to FIU to earn an M.S. in Computer Science.
During this period he also worked for NASA developing new database technology that led to his recruitment by two prominent public companies, AIG, and subsequently by Newgen as Chief Information Officer. When the latter company was sold he took this opportunity to return to FIU to obtain his Doctorate.
Since 2003 he has been a professor of Computer Science at Miami Dade College and is also an adjunct professor at FIU. Mario has a record of procuring federal grants and offers to use this skill to benefit MICMS.
Nominees for the two available non-parent positions include:
* William F. Hollowsky
Bill, who received a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Maryland, is a CPA, and since 2006 has been the General Manager of Opportunity Management, SunGard Higher Education, and is responsible for solving business problems in higher education.
Since moving to Marco Island in 1994, he has been an active community volunteer and currently serves on the City of Marco Island Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee as well as the Audit Committee. He strongly supports the concept of a Charter Middle School and wants all charter school students to enjoy the opportunity to receive a top education. Bill also hopes to use his financial knowledge and experience with not-for-profit organizations to assist with fundraising activities and the planned Endowment Campaign.
He also believes his five years of board experience with the Post Secondary Electronic Standards Council, where he now serves as Chairman, will allow him to make significant contributions to the MICMS Board.
* Lisa M. Meurgue
Lisa, who served on the Board as a parent in the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years, hopes to serve again in a non-parent position now that two of her children have graduated while the third has yet to enter. She has a B.B.A. degree from St. Norbert College with majors in International Business and French.
After working in the hospitality industry in the Bahamas, banking in Chicago and teaching in Ireland Lisa came to Florida where she and her husband have been in the restaurant business since 1999. She is very active in civic affairs and is passionate in seeking the continuing success of the MICMS, and is determined to have it remain a charter school.
She would very much like to research grant opportunities as well as use the fund raising skills she has demonstrated with the Restaurant Association, Dancing with the Stars, MICMS Cheerleading and other organizations to further assist the school.
* Frank R. Recker
Frank earned a B.S. from Xavier University, a D.D.S. from Ohio State in 1971 and a J.D. from Northern Kentucky University in 1981. A dentist licensed to practice in Ohio and Florida he is also an attorney who represents dentists and dental organizations in legal matters throughout the U.S., having been admitted by ten state, district or federal bar associations.
He is very active in civic affairs and is currently the Vice-Chairman of the Marco Island City Counsel, and serves on the Boards of the Marco Community Bank, Marco Island Civic Association and several condominium associations.
Frank hopes to maintain the exemplary status of the MICMS as well as assist in fundraising efforts utilizing his experience in this area and his knowledge of, and acquaintance with, civic-minded people who are able to contribute or assist in securing contributions.
* James M. Reinders
Jim, who has served 6 years as a parent School Board member plus 2 years as the School Board President and Chair of the Building Committee for the permanent facilities the school now enjoys, hopes to continue to contribute to the success of MICMS.
With a B.S in Psychology from Michigan and a law degree from the University of Florida, he spent a career in real estate consulting, investment and development before retiring. Jim and his wife Andrea are on the top 5 Volunteer Honor Roll for the school. He notes that during his time on the Board the school consistently ranked at an A+ level, set a standard for excellence in FCAT performance, increased parental contributions and volunteerism, improved discipline, maintained focus on the core curriculum and increased teacher salaries to lead Collier County, all the while maintaining a balanced budget and adding to operating reserves.
MORE INFORMATION
* Ballots will be mailed to parents on Friday (Nov. 20). They must be mailed back or dropped off at the school by 5 p.m. on Dec. 8.
* A public meeting will be held to open ballots on Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. with new members seated on Dec. 10.
For more information, call 377-3200.
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