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STCS Local School District 2026 Voter Guide

In 60 Seconds: Twelve candidates are running for four of the seven seats on the Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education. With a possible new majority, this board will decide what comes next for the district's aging buildings after voters turned down three bond proposals in three years.

Last update: October 30, 2026. Get to know the 12 candidates running for four seats on the Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education, what the board does, and what's at stake on November 3, 2026.

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Table of Contents


About This Guide

This guide is designed to help you understand both the office and the election—not tell you how to vote.

We begin by explaining what the office does, how much authority it has, and why it matters. From there, we cover the current race, the major issues, what to look for in a candidate, and profiles of everyone seeking the office. The goal is to provide the context you need to evaluate candidates based on the responsibilities of the job—not just campaign headlines.

Michigan Women updates these guides throughout the election cycle as new information becomes available. We review official government records, campaign websites, debate transcripts, campaign finance filings, public statements, and reporting from a wide range of reputable news organizations. New information is verified before it is added, and significant changes are incorporated as the race develops.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Michigan Women does not endorse or oppose candidates or political parties. Our role is to make Michigan government and elections easier to understand so every voter can make informed decisions with confidence.

To learn more about our research process, editorial standards, and commitment to nonpartisan civic education, visit our Strategy & Impact Guide.

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What Is This Election For?

There are two separate school board races on your ballot.

Six-year term

(vote for up to 3)

  • Winners serve January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2032.
  • Two current board members are running: David Booth and Jenean Coughlin.

Partial term ending December 31, 2028

(vote for 1)

  • This seat opened when trustee Arik Smith resigned in early 2026 because he was relocating. The board appointed Sharon Norman to hold it through 2026. Appointees serve only until the next election, so voters now choose who finishes the term.
  • The winner serves January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028.

Before you vote

  • You can vote for fewer candidates than the limit, but not more. Voting for too many spoils your vote in that race.
  • A straight-party vote does not carry over to school board races. You have to mark them yourself.
  • Your sample ballot at mvic.sos.state.mi.us shows whether you live in the district and vote in this race.

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Why Does the School Board Matter?

The Board of Education is the elected body that oversees Saginaw Township Community Schools. According to the district, the board is responsible for:

  • An annual budget of more than $63 million
  • About 4,600 students
  • 647 employees
  • Eight school buildings

Board members are unpaid volunteers, but their decisions reach every family with a student in the district and every property owner who pays school taxes.

Official source: Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education

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What Does the Board of Education Do — and Not Do?

The board sets direction and policy. The superintendent runs the district day to day. That division of labor is the key to judging what a candidate can promise.

What the Board Can Do

  • ✔ Hire, evaluate, and set the contract of the superintendent
  • ✔ Adopt the annual budget and oversee spending
  • ✔ Write and revise district policies
  • ✔ Approve hiring of teachers and staff recommended by the administration
  • ✔ Negotiate and approve employee contracts
  • ✔ Decide whether to ask voters for a bond or millage, how large it should be, and what it would pay for
  • ✔ Pursue building improvements that don't require a new tax, such as the current energy project (see What Has the Board Been Doing?)
  • ✔ Fill board vacancies by appointment until the next election

What the Board Cannot Do

  • ✘ Run the schools day to day. Board members don't direct staff, manage buildings, or handle student discipline.
  • ✘ Raise taxes or borrow for major building projects on its own. A new bond or operating millage needs voter approval.
  • ✘ Act as individuals. A member has authority only when the board votes as a group at a public meeting, and most actions take four votes.
  • ✘ Set statewide requirements. Michigan sets core graduation requirements, state testing, and teacher certification. Local boards can add to some requirements but cannot go below state law.
  • ✘ Set sports eligibility rules on its own. Member schools follow Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) rules.

Think about it: When a candidate makes a promise, is it something the board can actually do, or would it need voters, the state, or the superintendent to make it happen?

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Who's on the Board Now?

Members whose seats are on the November 3 ballot are in bold.

  • Janice L. Collison — President — term ends 2030
  • Marianne C. Bird — Vice President — term ends 2030
  • David A. Booth — Treasurer — running for a six-year seat
  • Michele T. DeShone — Secretary
  • David M. Jaffe — Trustee — not on the ballot
  • Jenean Coughlin — Trustee — running for a six-year seat
  • Sharon Norman — Trustee (appointed) — running for the partial term

Superintendent: Jamie Kraatz (hired by the board in 2023; does not vote)

Official source: Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education, as of October 30, 2026

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What Has the Board Been Doing?

This is not a complete list. These are the decisions most likely to shape the next board's work.

Three bond proposals, three no votes

  • May 2023: $243 million to build a new high school and renovate other buildings. Rejected, about 77% to 23%.
  • November 2025: $169.2 million to upgrade all eight buildings. Rejected, 7,691 to 4,735 (62% to 38%).
  • May 5, 2026: $94.2 million limited to safety, security, and critical repairs, with no new buildings or athletic projects. The district estimated about $5 a month for the owner of a $120,000 home. Rejected, 58% no.
  • No bond is on the November 2026 ballot. The district says it will gather input through surveys, focus groups, and community meetings before deciding next steps.

The district says its buildings are more than 50 years old and repairs will grow more expensive over time. Community concerns have centered on the size of the requests and the effect on property taxes. The district says it scaled back each proposal in response.

Learn more: STCS Bond: What's Needed, Who Decides, and Why It Matters

Energy conservation project

  • Started June 2026: energy management system, LED lighting, heating and cooling controls, bathroom renovations, and water conservation.
  • The district projects more than $7 million in energy savings over the project's life and says the savings will cover its cost, combined with sinking fund dollars. No new tax was required.

Leadership

  • January 2025: the board extended Superintendent Jamie Kraatz's contract through June 30, 2028.
  • The board filled two vacancies by appointment in two years: David Booth in 2024 and Sharon Norman in 2026.

Sherwood Pool

  • Reopened in 2025 after $1.9 million in state funding for repairs.

Explore more: Board meeting agendas and minutes | How the district is funded

Think about it: After three bond votes, what would you want the next board to do differently, keep the same, or explain better?

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Could This Election Change the Board's Balance?

Yes. Four of seven seats are on the ballot, and four votes are a majority.

  • At least one new member will join the board. Three current members are running for four seats, so even if all three win, one seat goes to a newcomer.
  • As many as four new members could join, enough to form a new majority.
  • Three members are not on the ballot: Janice Collison, Marianne Bird, and Michele DeShone.

Think about it: How much do you want the next board to continue the current direction versus change course?

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What Are the Candidates Saying?

As of October 30, 2026, two of the twelve candidates have official campaign websites: Hunter Koch and Jason Malik. Their stated priorities are in their profiles below. Both emphasize careful use of taxpayer money and keeping students and teachers at the center of decisions. Koch also highlights long-term facilities planning; Malik also highlights clearer communication from the board.

The other ten candidates have not published platforms. To ask them directly, contact information for every candidate is on the Saginaw County candidate list.

We'll continue tracking these issues as campaigns release more information ahead of November.

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What Should I Look for in a School Board Member?

Once you understand what the board does, the next question is: what helps someone do this job well?

  • Comfort with budgets and public money
  • Ability to oversee the superintendent without managing the schools
  • A clear approach to aging buildings that voters can support
  • Willingness to listen to the community and explain decisions
  • Ability to work with six other people to reach a decision
  • Time for regular meetings, committee work, and preparation
  • Focus on student learning and safety

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Meet the Candidates

Candidates are listed in ballot order. Where a candidate has a campaign website, priorities come from that site. Endorsements are as of October 30, 2026.

Six-Year Term (vote for up to 3)

David Booth

Quick Facts

  • Website: No 2026 campaign website found
  • Current Job: Claim Specialist, Hastings Mutual Insurance Company
  • Current Office: Treasurer, Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education

Endorsements

  • Michigan Education Association (MEA)

Career

  • Claim Specialist, Hastings Mutual Insurance Company (2020–present)
  • Senior Claim Specialist, Auto Club Group (2004–2020)
  • Branch Manager, Enterprise Rent-A-Car (2000–2004)
  • Claims Adjuster, Frankenmuth Insurance (2000)
  • Appointed to the board in May 2024 to fill a vacancy, then elected in November 2024 to the rest of that term, which ends December 31, 2026
  • Former Treasurer, Heritage High School Music Boosters

Personal

  • Bachelor of Business Administration, Eastern Michigan University
  • Saginaw Township resident for more than 20 years
  • Two sons, one a Heritage High School graduate

Jenean Jarabek Coughlin

Quick Facts

  • Website: No 2026 campaign website found
  • Current Job: Sales Manager, Canada Bread Company
  • Current Office: Trustee, Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education

Endorsements

  • Michigan Education Association (MEA)

Career

  • Sales Manager, Canada Bread Company (2008–present)
  • Board of Education member; has previously served as board treasurer

Personal

  • Bachelor's degree in foodservice systems administration and management, Michigan State University

Bradley Eichstaedt

Quick Facts

  • Website: No 2026 campaign website found

Career

  • Ran for the Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education in 2022 and 2024

No published platform or other public background found as of October 30, 2026.


Denecia Grant

Quick Facts

  • Website: No 2026 campaign website found
  • Current Job: Science teacher, Saginaw Covenant Academy

Endorsements

  • Michigan Education Association (MEA)

Career

  • Science teacher at Saginaw Covenant Academy, a high school completion program in Saginaw, as reported by Mid-Michigan NOW in August 2026

No published platform found as of October 30, 2026.


Roland Jersevic

Quick Facts

  • Website: No 2026 campaign website found

Career

  • Michigan State Representative (Republican), 96th District, 1993–1996; the district included Saginaw Township
  • Former Saginaw County assistant prosecutor, Saginaw Township Community Schools board member, and Saginaw Township treasurer

Hunter L. Koch

Quick Facts

Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Support for the education community: Support students and educators and help young people take charge of their own futures.
  • Long-term facilities planning: Plan strategically to keep a safe and secure learning environment while keeping long-term costs to taxpayers as low as possible.
  • Opportunities that keep talent local: Give every student opportunities that prepare them to be productive citizens and encourage them to build their futures in Saginaw Township.

Endorsements

  • Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan
  • Mid-Michigan Area Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Career

  • Elected to the St. Charles Community Schools Board of Education in 2014 at age 18; served one four-year term, including about 18 months as board president
  • Student Body President, Saginaw Valley State University (elected 2019)
  • Graduate assistant, Saginaw Valley State University
  • Member of the Saginaw County Democratic Party; serves as its rules chair, according to his VOTE411 response

Personal

  • Bachelor of Arts in political science (2018) and Master of Arts in public administration (2021), Saginaw Valley State University
  • Graduate of St. Charles Community High School
  • Has lived in Saginaw Township for about four years with his wife, Danielle
  • His campaign says the district's three failed bond proposals led him to run

Jason Malik

Quick Facts

Top Priorities

The priorities below are drawn from the candidate's official campaign website and reflect the issues the campaign specifically chose to emphasize.

  • Students and teachers first: Keep students and teachers at the center of board decisions, direct resources to classrooms, and judge each decision by how it helps them.
  • Transparent communication: Communicate clearly, answer questions directly, and explain the reasoning behind decisions to families, staff, and taxpayers.
  • Accountable stewardship: Know where public money goes, ask questions before decisions are made, and spend according to clear priorities rather than simply cutting costs.

Endorsements

  • None listed on his campaign website

Career

  • More than 30 years of small-business ownership and management, including building budgets and managing employees, according to his campaign

Personal

  • Saginaw Township resident since 2015
  • Parent raising his family in the district

Anna McGrath

Quick Facts

  • Website: No 2026 campaign website found

No published platform or public background found as of October 30, 2026.


Allison Stoney

Quick Facts

  • Website: No 2026 campaign website found
  • Current Job: Product Specialist, Gordon Food Service; dance instructor, Bay Valley Academy

Career

  • Product Specialist, Gordon Food Service (2025–present)
  • Customer Development Specialist and sales associate, Gordon Food Service (2019–2025)
  • Dance instructor, Bay Valley Academy in Bay City (2022–present)
  • Marketing roles with ACC Home Remodeling (2018–2019)

Personal

  • Grew up in Saginaw
  • Bachelor of Arts in communication, Oakland University
  • Fund Development Co-Chair, Junior League of the Great Lakes Bay Region

Partial Term Ending December 31, 2028

(vote for 1)

Karen Gerhardt

Quick Facts

  • Website: No 2026 campaign website found
  • Current Job: Owner, Sister Studio LLC

Career

  • Owner, Sister Studio LLC, a design and marketing business (1987–present)
  • Publication specialist and graphic designer, Mackinac Center for Public Policy (1993–1996)
  • Earlier design roles with Quebecor MediaPages, Creative Composition, and Optico Manufacturing
  • Has taught computer graphic design at Saginaw Valley State University and Delta College

Personal

  • Bachelor's degree in art and design, summa cum laude, Saginaw Valley State University

Sharon Norman

Quick Facts

  • Website: No 2026 campaign website found
  • Current Job: Works in child abuse prevention
  • Current Office: Trustee, Saginaw Township Community Schools Board of Education (appointed February 2026)

Endorsements

  • Michigan Education Association (MEA)

Career

  • Professional work in child abuse prevention
  • Has served on the State Foster Care Review Board
  • Heritage High School Music Boosters volunteer

Personal

  • Originally from Grand Rapids; moved to Saginaw Township in 2018
  • Two daughters, a Heritage High School graduate now at Central Michigan University and a current Heritage student

Chris Psetas

Quick Facts

  • Website: No 2026 campaign website found
  • Current Job: Retired

Career

  • Retired general supervisor, Delphi

No published platform found as of October 30, 2026.

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What Happens After Election Day?

  • Results: Unofficial results are posted election night. The Saginaw County Board of Canvassers certifies them in the following weeks.
  • Taking office: January 1, 2027. The board elects its officers for the year in January.
  • First big question: Whether, when, and how to ask voters again about building improvements.
  • What continues regardless: The superintendent's contract (through June 30, 2028) and the energy conservation project.
  • Vacancies: If a seat opens, the remaining members appoint a replacement within 30 days, who serves until the next election.
  • Next election: The partial-term seat is on the ballot again in November 2028.

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How to Vote in Michigan

Knowing who's running is only half the equation. Here's how to make sure your vote actually counts on November 3rd (general election).

For the six-year seats, you may vote for up to three candidates. For the partial term, you may vote for one.

Look up your personal voter information

The Michigan Voter Information Center has everything you need in one place. Enter your information at mvic.sos.state.mi.us and you'll see:

  • Whether you're registered to vote
  • Your polling location on Election Day
  • Your early voting location and hours
  • Your absentee ballot status
  • Your drop box locations
  • All of your voting districts — county, state house, state senate, U.S. Congress, school board, and more
  • Your local clerk's contact information

Key dates

  • Early in-person voting: Saturday, October 24, through Sunday, November 1, 2026
  • General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Absentee ballots must reach your clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day. If you still have one, return it in person to your clerk or a drop box rather than by mail.
  • Michigan allows same-day voter registration at your local clerk's office through 8 p.m. on Election Day, with proof of residency.

Not registered? You can register online at mvic.sos.state.mi.us if you have a Michigan driver's license or state ID, by mail, or in person at your local clerk's office. If you're registering within 14 days of an election, you must do so in person.

Voter information is maintained by the Michigan Secretary of State. Contact your local clerk if you have questions about your specific situation.

Learn more: How to Vote in Michigan Voter Guide

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More Articles & Resources

We don't pick sides; we pull the sources together so you can read for yourself.

Look up your ballot and candidates

In the news

Local coverage of this race has been limited. We'll add new reporting as it appears.

From Michigan Women

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Key Sources

News stories listed under More Articles & Resources are also sources for this guide.

Official

Candidates

Additional news

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Content Disclaimer: Michigan Women is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not support or oppose any political candidate or party. This guide is a living resource, reviewed and updated throughout the election cycle as new, verified information becomes available. See "About This Guide" for our full research and editorial process.