Bundle, Della - Cassopolis Public Schools
Are you an incumbent?
No
Brief Intro of Candidate
I grew up In Cassopolis and graduated from Ross Beatty High School and Southwestern Michigan College.
I raised a family while employed in public schools as a paraprofessional, administrative support for deans, counselors, and administrators, and served as a sponsor for extracurricular clubs.
Since coming home in 2014, I have:
• Served on Midwest Energy and Communication’s Strengthening Schools grants team.
• Helped with local food banks and area Feeding America distribution.
• Worked at Southwestern Michigan College’s Office of Development and Foundation.
• Worked at Dowagiac Union High School in student intervention.
• Substituted at Cass County’s Great Start Readiness Program and Heritage Southwest ISD.
Today, I am a:
• Jefferson Township trustee, running for re-election.
• Certified Michigan elections inspector.
Endorsements
None
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
None
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
As a new member, I would first listen to and look at the current direction and commitments of the board and administration. Then, I would ask about successes and challenges around engagement of families, the community, and students, and then I might share my past experiences in public schools to see if any would be helpful.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
I have been reviewing our district’s website, student handbook, and the new Personal Electronic Device Policy. Recent news articles show that restricting personal electronic devices (PED) in classrooms is an important trend that is being incorporated in districts across the county.
Teachers spent much less time addressing students’ use of electronics, giving proper priority to instruction time. I am supportive of this policy.
Superintendent John Ritzler wrote to families in 2023 about student safety, behavior concerns, and discipline issues. The letter included a document entitled “7 Factors to Consider Before Resorting to Suspension or Expulsion” under Michigan’s New Restorative Justice Law. The seven factors were student’s age, disciplinary history, disability, seriousness of behavior, safety risk, use of restorative practices, and level of intervention.
I believe that this intentional measure speaks to the serious commitment by administration to be timely in addressing student behavior and discipline while considering the whole personhood of each one. There are consequences for improper actions. There are also restorative practices, which I see as the balance of enforcing required discipline while seeking to rebuild the student’s confidence and ability to continue in school afterward. I look forward to supporting the use restorative processes in our district.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
Again, referring to the district’s student handbook, I see several faculty positions that could incorporate mental health support. I will always be an advocate for more mental health and emotional support in school. Budget restrictions and attracting qualified people willing to come to a rural community could be barriers. I am interested to know if there are other supports in place and if adding more mental health resources is a possibility.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
I know that it is important for students and their families to see adult leaders and trusted advisors that look like them. I believe that teachers, paraprofessionals, support staff, administrators, coaches, and board of education members should reflect the diversity of the community. I also believe that faculty and staff should be thoroughly trained in implicit bias, so they can recognize when they are operating within stereotypes.
I would also submit we provide strong career and technical education opportunities with access to tools and resources as another avenue for graduates to build a future to support themselves and a family.
Finally, I believe that networking and mutual support links, such as an organization for parents and guardians of color, as well as connections and collaboration with more diverse districts can be highly beneficial in improving student achievement. Many resources, connections, support ideas, and inclusivity work can be found when people network. Let’s share and celebrate our successes, honestly share our defeats, and then replicate what is working.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
I believe the district should strive every day, through its decisions and actions, to demonstrate its commitment to its Equal Opportunity/Nondiscrimination Policy so that all our schools become safe spaces for everyone.
Opportunities should also be provided for students and families to learn about people who are different from themselves, because it’s harder to discriminate in an environment of understanding.
Extracurricular clubs focused on specific demographics, with sponsorship extended to vetted area volunteers from all walks of life can also contribute to the creation and maintenance of our schools as safe spaces for all.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
Our public schools must be intentional about recruitment of staff of color and diversity. How? Being a serious presence at educational job fairs, connecting with neighboring colleges to engage new teaching graduates, specifically through Southwestern Michigan College’s partnerships with Andrews University, Ferris State University, Grand Valley State University, Indiana University South Bend, and Michigan State University education programs to create a pipeline to Cassopolis Public Schools; study locally, then live and work locally. Testimonials of natives who went away to school and then chose to invest themselves here should be promoted.
Other tangible incentives to consider, if not already in existence, are fully paid continuing education opportunities, bonuses to join the district, moving assistance packages, and an incentive salary structure based on commitment to stay in the district.
Cassopolis is working hard to make life in our village more attractive. Overcoming lack of housing is a major concern. A large percentage of people who work in Cassopolis do not live here. Single family homes and apartments are in high demand but in short supply. Housing is always the highest consideration when a single person, married couples, partners, or a family looks at a professional move.
Recruitment could emphasize that there are major cities within reasonable driving distance including Chicago, Detroit, and Indianapolis along with the growing and exciting cities of Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. We are also close to Lake Michigan communities with smaller fishing and swimming lakes all around us.
So, for desirable working conditions with friendly residents and a noticeably relaxed day-to-day existence, Cassopolis is that place!