Pictured L to R: Cherryl Maddox-Smith, Jennifer Klipp, Kristen Cambensy, Jennifer Ray,
Jason Zdunek, Cassidy Thomas
MARQUETTE AREA PUBLIC SCOOLS
THANKS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS FOR THEIR SERVICE
JANUARY IS ANNUAL RECOGNITION MONTH
January is School Board Recognition Month. This is a time to recognize the individuals who show extraordinary dedication to public schools. They are citizens whose decisions affect our children and build our community.
School boards are charged with making decisions that can sometimes be quite difficult or require sifting through a great deal of information. They contribute hundreds of hours each year leading Marquette Area Public Schools.
Through their dedication, collaboration with other school district staff, their governance and advocacy, they are building the future of education in Michigan.
This month, we encourage all members of the community to thank a board member. Take this opportunity to show our year-round appreciation for these servant leaders and begin to better understand how local trustees work together to prepare today’s students to be tomorrow’s leaders.
The individuals serving MAPS and their years of service are:
Kristen Cambensy, President, serving since 2015
Glenn Sarka, Vice-President, serving since 2019
Jason Zdunek, Secretary/Treasurer, serving since 2023
Jennifer Klipp, Trustee, serving since 2021
Jennifer Ray, Trustee, serving since 2021
Cherryl Maddox, Smith, Trustee, serving since 2023
Cassidy Thomas, Trustee, serving since 2025
Marquette Area Public Schools would also like to thank former Secretary/Treasurer James Hewitt for serving for ten years from 2015-2024.
School board members represent the views and priorities of their community in the complex system of maintaining and running a district’s public schools. They also reinforce the principle of local control over
public education, which is an important, highly valued aspect of education in Michigan. Too often, the
efforts of school board members go unrecognized.
No matter what challenges lie ahead for our district in 2025, our school board members will continue to
govern to improve student achievement and provide exceptional education for all our community’s
children.
In Memoriam: Glenn Sarka
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Glenn Sarka, a dedicated and compassionate member of the Marquette Area Public Schools Board of Education. Glenn passed away on January 23, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Our hearts go out to his family, especially his beloved daughter Laila.
Glenn's commitment to education and public service was evident in everything he did. He served on the Board of Education since January 2018, driven by his firm belief in being the change he wished to see in the world. A Marquette native, Glenn was a proud product of the local school system, having attended Whitman Elementary, Beaver Grove Elementary, Silver Creek Elementary, Bothwell Middle School, and Marquette Senior High School. As a young man he also served for five years as a Bay Cliff Science Camp Counselor and enjoyed reminiscing about his years as a camper there.
His passion for helping others extended far beyond his role on the Board. Glenn’s career as a skilled attorney and consultant, with a focus on justice, policy analysis, and human rights, took him around the world. From serving as a Senior Governance Advisor in Iraq to training local police officers on mental health legislation in Marquette, Glenn’s impact was felt both locally and internationally.
A dedicated community member, Glenn volunteered his time with many organizations, including the Marquette Food Co-op, United Way, and the YMCA. His work in the areas of domestic violence prevention, gender issues, and public advocacy showed his unwavering commitment to making the world a better place for all.
Glenn was a loving father, a passionate advocate, and a devoted public servant. His legacy will live on in the many lives he touched through his work and his dedication to our community. He will be deeply missed and his contributions will not be forgotten.
Rest in peace, Glenn. We will miss your laughter, your smile, your jokes, your profound words and your kind heart.