Six are running for five seats on the Norway-Vulcan school board

Five candidates are on Tuesday’s vote for four four-year terms on the Norway-Volcano Area School Board.

They are Marybeth Langin, Joseph Occhietti, Joey Pontbriand, April Van Eynde and incumbent Joseph F. Rake. Incumbents William O’Brion, Cory Heigl and Todd Proctor did not seek re-election.

Incumbent Jenny DeDecker is the only candidate for the partial term ending December 31, 2026.

Five candidates for four four-year seats were asked two basic questions about their candidacies: Why did they decide to run for the school board and what do they believe they bring to the board? Below are their answers and other information:

Marybeth Langin

Age: 42

Background: Human Resources Specialist at the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center for the past four years; at VA since 2013-14. He served as a U.S. Navy helicopter mechanic and an HVAC electrician in the Air National Guard, and saw one combat tour in Baghdad, Iraq. He earned an elementary education degree with a concentration in history from Northern Michigan University and a master’s degree in business, leadership and strategic planning from Michigan State University. Husband David teaches algebra at NVAS; they have three sons in district schools. She helped coach her son in the elementary basketball program and worked with Little League and travel basketball.

Previously elected positions: First candidacy for public office.

“A strong school system is the heart of a community, its backbone. We have amazing teachers and amazing staff in Norwegian schools. I have three children in this school system. With a background in public service, military service, and parents in the military, running for school board simply seemed like the right decision. When my dad came out, he actually ran for school board (Gwinn) and won. I saw the value he added to his life and the value he brought to the school system.

“I am very passionate about education. I want students to have the best education possible. I have skills that I think will be valuable to the school.”

Joseph Occhietti

Age: 33

Experience: Full-time project manager/estimator at Sikora Sheet Metal in Iron Mountain. He also works part-time as a sheet metal apprenticeship instructor. A lifelong resident of Norway, a graduate of a Norwegian high school, and now has a child at NVAS.

Previously elected positions: First candidacy for public office.

“(I ran for school board) primarily because there was a need and I felt I could make a positive contribution to our community. As a senior educator, I see the quality of academic skills in public education throughout the Upper Peninsula and there appears to be a general downward trend in recent years. The main motivation behind my decision was to create sound policies that will help prepare our students for a rapidly changing world.

“(I present to the board) the perspective of someone who is a parent and educator, drawing on my experience of serving on various private committees in the past. A willingness to make decisions that effectively run the school’s operations while maximizing the overall educational potential of NVAS students.”

Joey Pontbriand

Age: 37

Background: North American City Manager, two years, SANY America, Peachtree, Ga. He holds a degree in physical education and coaching from Northern Michigan University. He served as athletic director for the North Central and Iron Mountain school districts. He has a son in the third grade at a Norwegian primary school. A graduate of a Norwegian high school. He coached – primarily basketball, boys and girls – at Norway, North Central, Iron Mountain and Gwinn high schools and at Kingsford Junior High. MHSAA referee, 13 years. Member of the Board of the Little League of the Norway Area.

Previously elected positions: First candidacy for public office.

“I’m running for a seat on the school board for a few simple reasons. I want to give back to the school district that has been an important part of my life and a key influence on my life journey. I feel that my professional experience has given me the opportunity to give back as a board member and contribute to the positive development of the district. I want to make sure we are doing everything we can to help retain and provide our education staff with a place they want to work and can have a work/school environment they can be proud of.

“I bring experience from working as an administrator and understand budgets, employee retention, and school/community engagement. I want to create an avenue of communication between the community and the district while also strengthening alumni engagement. This district has a strong teaching and support staff, as well as very experienced administrators. I hope to help provide them with support, improving not only daily operations, but also maintaining the great daily experiences students have at Norway-Vulcan Schools!”

Joseph F. Rake

Age: 74

Context: Self-employed, managing annuity portfolios for 48 years. Three daughters graduated from Norwegian high school, the last one in 2023. She participated in martial arts, 25 years.

Previously elected positions: Completion of first four-year term on the school board.

“Four years ago, I ran for the Norway-Vulcan School Board to support my children’s school district in any way I could contribute. I am running now because there will be a lot of turnover on the board, many very experienced members will not be running again, and there is a clear need for some experienced board members to provide some continuity on the new board.

“I don’t have any K-12 kids yet, but there is a lot of unfinished and upcoming business that would definitely benefit someone who was there. I have been a parent of public school children for 37 years, I have been self-employed for 48 years serving the public’s financial investment needs, and I usually get along with people quite well.”

April Van Eynde

Age: 41

Background: During the summer months, he operates a mobile Indian taco stand. For the past six years, he has focused on raising his children, ages 6 and 4; this is the first year they both attend the school system in Norway and Vulcan. He previously oversaw six LaFaive stations/stores in the region for approximately 2.5 years. Born and raised in Norway, graduate of the Norwegian Secondary School. He was on the Head Start committee.

Previously elected positions: First candidacy for public office.

“There just weren’t enough people running for the school board position (initially)…I thought someone had to do it.

“What I bring to the board is, I believe, good and honest opinion. I know a lot of people in the community. I talk to people easily and I am well known.”

Jenny DeDecker

Age: 42

Background: Professor of qualitative research and mindful leadership at Saybrook University in Oakland, California. Owner of Full Moon Rising, a wellness studio in Norway, for 10 years. My husband graduated from Norwegian High School; they have one of two children still attending NVAS.

Previously elected positions: Completion of second four-year term on the management board.