Dennis Raterink

Candidate Name: Dennis Raterink
Age: 54
Candidate for Waverly Board of Education
Candidate Website:
Candidate Contact for Public: DRaterinkforWaverlySchoolBoard@gmail.com
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1. What motivated you to run for the position you are seeking election to?
Answer: I have been dismayed by recent developments in our society, seeing
people attack the work of educators, try to conform school curriculum to narrow
viewpoints, and ban books. I am running to maintain a level of common sense in
the education of the children of our community.
2. What is your vision for the public body you want to serve on?
Answer: I see the role of the Waverly school board as advocating and being
stewards for the Waverly School District. The board members must work together,
and closely with the Waverly Superintendent, with significant input from parents
and teaching staff, to set district goals and work to see them achieved. My
priorities as a board member would include strengthening school safety,
continuing a cohesive working relationship between the district and the families in
the district, and maintaining a balanced curriculum.
3. How does your vision differ from that of your opponents?
Answer: I believe my vision is consistent with at least some of the incumbent
members. I cannot speak to the positions of others.
4. Funding for schools has been a consistent concern for nearly three decades. Proposal 1,
passed in the 90s was supposed to level the playing field in funding assuring that
districts with distressed property values would receive comparable per pupil funding.
That has not been the case. If elected, how will you address the under funding of
schools?
Answer: The problem is essentially a state-wide issue. However, I would work to
maximize the funding that the Waverly School District receives and continue to
evaluate any and all funding options and opportunities.

5. Has school choice, which allows students and parents to apply for and attend a different
school district than the one they live in, been a success? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes. For Waverly, specifically, the change has brought increased
opportunity to students who live in other school districts, increased diversity in
the student population, and increased pupil funding to the District.
6. Proposals in Michigan have long sought to use public dollars to pay for private school
tuition and costs. Do you support vouchers for private schools? Why or why not?
Answer: No. While I support the ability of parents to send their children to private
school, I cannot support the diversion of public tax dollars for this proposal.
Public schools have a mandated mission to accept all students, including those
with special needs and it does so with limited funding, as is. Any further
reductions would have a negative impact on public school students.
7. If vouchers are approved, public schools may see a decline in enrollment. How would
you close the funding gap by a reduction in per pupil funding?
Answer: Again, this issue is best addressed by state leaders. However, all options
would have to be reviewed, including future millages, reduction of current costs,
and a prioritization of educational programs over extra-curricular programs.
Obviously, every effort must be taken to avoid these difficult choices.
8. Educators have been under scrutiny over LGBT youth support, LGBT history, the
American history of communities of color and more. In addition, school libraries are
pulling books off of shelves in public school libraries and public libraries.
a. Please share your perspective as you pertains to providing safe schools and
education for LGBT youth.
Answers: Schools should be a safe haven for all students, especially those
who are the most vulnerable. We must continue to support students within
the LGBTQ community.
b. Please share your perspective about integrating the history of communities of
color into curriculums in the public schools.
c.
Answer: Schools are in a danger area currently, as some seek to
whitewash our history by removing teachings of historical events that they
deem to be unpleasant or unnecessary. I advocate for an accurate
portrayal of the history of this country and state, including all actions,
positive and negative. We can only hope to avoid future problems by
presenting, and having students study, the actual mistakes and misdeeds
of the past.

d. Do you support the removal of books some find objectionable from public school
shelves and public libraries? Why or why not?
Answer: I reject censorship. That said, in a school setting, parents must be
given a voice in determining the books and materials to which their
children are introduced. However, we must continue to fight against the
“heckler’s veto”, the idea that a vocal minority can determine what
materials the majority of children are taught and allowed to read.
e. If you support such removals, at what point does the purge of objectionable
books stop? When it is the Quran? When it is the Torah? The Nag Hamadi? The
Bible? What policies will you put in place to monitor and assess removal of
books?
Answer: I do not support removal of any current materials in the schools.
My policies would support this position and fully support librarians and
school staff.
f. If you do not support the removal of objectionable books, what policies will you
support to stop the removal of books from public school libraries?
Answer: Censorship must be stopped, in any form. If parents have specific
objection to particular materials, they should have the ability to voice the
concerns, and steps should be taken to provide for alternative options for
their children.

9. There has been a split on how COVID was responded to by schools, and other
government bodies. Please answer the following questions:
a. Did you support the shut down of schools during the COVID-19 crisis? Why or

why not?
Answer: COVID presented an unprecedented disruption to the world. I
supported the shut down of schools, at the time, as health experts felt that
was a necessary step to slow the spread of the disease. I understand that
there are some who now believe that the shut down of schools was an
error, but much of this is based on what we have learned throughout the
process, a bit of second-guessing. In the urgency of the moment, I believe
we must rely on the advice of experts.
b. There has been a marked loss of educational gain as a result of the shut down.
How will you address this problem?
Answer: All decisions regarding school resources require a careful
balancing of needs. Clearly, support must continue to be given to students

who have been significantly affected by the pandemic. My view would be
that these students should be given the same amount of educational
support as any students who are behind their peers, for whatever the
cause. It is our responsibility to ensure that all students who are enrolled in
the District are given as much support as possible to enjoy a full and
enriching education.
c. Did you support face masks? Why or why not?
Answer: I am not a doctor or public health expert. I strongly believe in
following the advice, direction, and most recent recommendations of these
experts.
d. Do you support the COVID-19 vaccine? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes. I am vaccinated. The vaccination program, around the world,
has significantly lessened the impact of this disease. I recognize that some
people object to being forced to participate in the vaccination program. I
understand the concerns, but believe that such choices sometimes may
lead to increased safety measures being required in schools and in society.
e. Do you support vaccination for all students in public schools? Why or why not?
Answer: See above.
f. There has been a growing mental health crisis among our youth. It was present
before the pandemic, but experts warn it has gotten worse since the pandemic. If
elected, how will you address the mental health needs of our students?
Answer: I am an advocate for supporting the mental health needs of our
students. I would like to see a significant increase in funding and
resources in this area for the students of our district.

10. There have been a number of school shootings, with deeply tragic consequences for
students, teachers and administrators alike – as well as communities. If elected, what
will you do to address the school violence crisis, including school shootings?
Answer: This issue is the tragedy of our times. I have been happy to see the
Waverly School District make changes to the school buildings to provide
additional safety and security. In addition to these measures, I believe that further
resources must be placed in mental health intervention and bullying prevention.
11. Elections have become a serious concern for some voters. Please answer the following
questions:

a. If you lose your election, will you accept the results? Why or why not?
Answer: Of course. I will respect the vote of the people, regardless of the
results.
b. If your election is close and you chose to pay for a recount, will you accept the
result of a recount? Why or why not?
Answer: Yes. Again, it is respecting the vote of the people and the
democratic process.
c. Much has been made about the 2020 election. Do you believe Donald Trump
won the election? Why or why not?
Answer: No. Every count, recount, and judicial review has proven so.
d. Do you believe there was widespread election fraud? Why or why not?
Answer: No. There simply is no evidence to support this idea.
e. Do you believe leaders in Washington are involved in a secret pedophilia ring?
Why or why not?
Answer: No. There simply is no evidence to support this idea.
f. Do you believe the Jan. 6 Capitol incident was appropriate in light of the
election? Why or why not?
Answer: No. Violence is not appropriate to resolve concerns, even deeply
held ones.

12. Are you a member, or have you ever been a member or donated to any of the following
organizations:
a. Socialist party - No
b. Rock the Vote - No
c. The Democratic Party - Yes
d. Any Democratic Candidate for Office - Yes
e. The Republican Party - No
f. Any Republican Candidate for Office - No
g. The American Taxpayers Party - No
h. Any American Taxpayer Party Candidate for Office - No
i. The Heritage Foundation - No
j. People for the American Way - No
k. III Percenters - No

l. Proud Boys - No
13. Please share with readers and voters your qualifications for the position you seek.
Answer: I am a strong advocate for public education, a proud parent of two
Waverly School District graduates, and an involved community member. Most of my
career has been in public service, as an Assistant Attorney General for the Michigan
Department of Attorney General and as an Administrative Law Judge for the federal
government. My legal training and career have given me skills that would be beneficial as
a Board Member, including reviewing large amounts of data, analyzing complex
information, and explaining and communicating ideas and information in a clear and
concise manner. These skills will allow me to review and distill budget documents,
millage proposals, curriculum reviews, and the other complex information as required of
Board Members, and to communicate this information with fellow Board Members, the
superintendent, staff, and Waverly parents.