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Celebrating School Board Recognition Month

Announcement


January is School Board Recognition Month, a time to honor the individuals who volunteer their time and expertise to serve on our local school boards. These dedicated community members play a crucial role in shaping the future of education by making decisions that affect the lives of students, staff, and families. Serving on a school board requires a deep commitment to public service, often balancing complex responsibilities such as budget management, policy development, and long-term planning for the district’s growth and success.


Our Board members are elected by the community and provide invaluable leadership in helping our district achieve its mission and vision. They are responsible for ensuring that students receive a high-quality education in a safe and inclusive environment, while also overseeing the fiscal health of the district and advocating for the needs of the school community.


This month, we take the opportunity to thank and recognize our Portland Public Schools Board of Education for their tireless efforts to ensure that our district remains a place where every student can thrive and reach their full potential. Their dedication, collaborative approach, and passion for public education make Portland Public Schools a community we can all be proud of.


We extend our deepest gratitude to our Board of Education for their dedication, time, and service to the students, staff, and families of Portland Public Schools. Their commitment ensures our district remains focused on providing a safe and empowering learning experience, inspiring lifelong learners, and meeting the diverse needs of our community. Please join us in celebrating these remarkable leaders during School Board Recognition Month.


Meet Our Board Members


●      Beth Goodman, Board President

Beth has been on the board since 2014 and currently serves as Board President. She is the chair of the Personnel and Negotiations Committee, which ensures successful negotiations and personnel relations, and the Policy and Community/Public Relations Committee. She is a graduate of Portland Public Schools and moved back to raise her family. Beth earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and completed her MBA after all of her kids were in Portland schools. Before serving on the board, Beth worked with the schools as a coach, PTO President, and volunteered in many positions to benefit students in Portland. She is a believer in continuous learning and recently earned her Level 2 Award of Merit school board member training and the CPCU insurance designation. Beth works as a Regional Director in the insurance industry. Her business experience and dedication to children have allowed her to make good decisions based on business needs and the needs of our children, staff, and district.


●      Angela Shinaver, Vice President

Angela joined the Board in January 2021 and currently serves as Vice President. She serves as the chairperson for the Program Committee and is a member of the Personnel/Negotiations and Finance committees. Angela completed level 3 of the MASB Certified Board Member program, earning the Award of Distinction and the Data Skills Specialty Certification. She is a lifelong Portland resident, a graduate of Portland High School, and is involved in local organizations such as the Portland Foundation for Public Education, school events, and volunteering at the elementary schools. Angela and her husband, Thomas, have five children, with one daughter who is a PHS graduate, one son currently attending PHS, and three grandchildren attending Oakwood. Angela works as a Principal Audit Supervisor for a non-partisan audit office within the State of Michigan’s Legislative branch. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Grand Valley State University.


●      Brian Pohl, Secretary

Brian has been a member of the Portland School Board since 2008. He currently serves as the Board Secretary and sits on the Policy/Public Relations, Operations, and Programs committees. A teacher for over 20 years and a father of four PPS students, Brian brings a unique perspective to the board. A lifelong member of the Portland community, he is involved with many local organizations and school events. When not in town, Brian can often be found hiking trails deep in the woods.


●      Patrick Duff, Treasurer

Pat has been on the Board since 2011 and currently serves as the Treasurer. He is the chair of the Finance Committee, which provides financial oversight and support for the district, and serves on the Programs Committee. He earned his BA from the University of Michigan, his MPA from Western Michigan University, his JD from Thomas Cooley Law School, and has attended numerous continuing education courses concerning public education. Pat taught high school social studies and coached baseball at Muskegon Heights High School. He also taught for 18 years at Portland Adult/Community Education and coached cross-country at Portland Middle School and High School. He has practiced law since 1983 and served on the Portland City Council for 13 years, including time as Mayor Pro-Tem. A member of the Portland Community Orchestra, Pat is an avid runner, completing over 100 marathons, including seven Boston Marathons, and two ultra-marathons. He is married to Lois, and their two children, Eamon and Erin, are both graduates of Portland High School.


●      Andrew Huhn, Trustee

Andy graduated from Saint Patrick’s High School in Portland and then attended Central Michigan University, where he earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. After separating from military service, he and his wife, Jennifer, moved back to Portland, where their two children attend Portland High School. Andy is a certified IT Project Manager working in the public sector, holding numerous professional designations. Since joining the Board in 2020, he has participated on the Finance Committee and the Personnel and Negotiations Committee. Andy remains active in the community, serving on the Portland Township Planning Commission and the Education Trust Fund for a local church, and is active at VFW 4090, where he is the Senior Vice Commander and social media/marketing coordinator.


●      Kurt Sandborn, Trustee

Kurt graduated from Portland High School and then attended Ferris State University, where he earned his Associate degree in Applied Sciences. After graduation, Kurt and his wife, Sarah, worked as traveling technologists in various hospitals across the country. Their travels eventually brought them back to Portland, where they settled to raise their two boys. Kurt is a certified MRI/PET technologist working at BAMF Health in downtown Grand Rapids. He has a passion for leadership and continues to find resources to sharpen his skills. He believes that all Raiders are destined for success and will help the schools to achieve it. Kurt and his family also attend church at Ionia Restore Church.


●      Susan Moyer, Trustee

Susan has been a board member since January of 2023 and currently serves as a trustee. She is a member of the Personnel and Negotiations Committee and the Policy and Community/Public Relations Committee. A lifelong resident of Portland, Susan is a graduate of Portland St. Patrick’s School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and works for the State of Michigan as a project manager and design specialist for construction and building projects. Susan believes in transparency at all levels and that parent involvement in their child’s education is essential. She is dedicated to ensuring that children have a prosperous and safe learning environment to not only succeed but to expand their potential.


Image from district web site.


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