Hamilton school board appoints Candi Dykstra to vacant board seat

FILLMORE TWP. — After interviewing five candidates, the Hamilton Community Schools board of education has appointed Candi Dykstra to a vacant board seat.

The board held a special meeting Thursday, June 24, to select a new member. Dykstra, director of children's ministries at Immanuel Church in Holland, will serve through the end of 2022.

Dykstra, a foster parent, said she’s had 12 kids go through or are currently enrolled at Hamilton schools. She wanted to join the board as a way to be more involved in the community and make sure decisions are made with all students in mind.

“It’s always been an interest of mine to just be a part of a community education program, it’s where my heart is,” she said. “As a board, it’s making sure you see that side of things, that you see the straight ‘A’ students alongside the ones that haven’t had the best of circumstances and haven’t been given the tools to be good academically.

“I just really feel called to pour my life and heart into the lives of students and children.”

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The seat was vacant following the resignation of Ben Randle, who was serving as vice president. Randle joined the board by appointment in August 2017 and was re-elected to a four-year partial term in November 2018, which was set to expire at the end of the year.

The board interviewed five candidates: Dykstra, former board member Mike Jurries, Ross Miedema, Mike VerKaik and Josh Zoerhof.

Following interviews, each board member gave their top three candidates. From that, Dykstra, Jurries and Miedema emerged as finalists.

After additional discussion, each board member gave their top choice. Craig Van Beek, Jason Thomas and Morgan Maul each said Dykstra, Deb Brower and Carl Marshall chose Jurries and Loren Joostberns had Miedema as his top choice.

The board then voted on a motion to appoint Dykstra, which passed 6-0.

Those supporting Dykstra were drawn to her experience working with children from many backgrounds, including special education, as a foster parent and children’s ministry director.

“I think that one thing Candi brings is … (former board member) Amy Berarducci had a special needs daughter and had been through that part of our district and what that (entailed),” Thomas said. “Her perspective a lot of times was different than what any of our other perspectives were because of that. It’s something that I don’t think we have reflected on the board today, so we struggle with some of that.”

VanBeek thanked all applicants on behalf of the board, saying each would have been a great addition. He encouraged them to all run for election in November.

Two seats will be up for re-election in November as six-year terms. Thomas said during Thursday’s meeting he plans to run for re-election. Dykstra expressed interest in running as well during her interview.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch. 

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Hamilton school board appoints Candi Dykstra to vacant seat