Board of Education



Mission Statement
 - With an exemplary staff and rigorous curriculum, our mission is to maximize the academic potential of every child.

Vision Statement - Marquette Area Public Schools, with the support of parents and community, will graduate students who are college and career ready and prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st Century.

Adopted January 28, 2013 by the Board of Education

The School Trustees are trustees primarily charged with the vision, budget, goals and policy for all children in the district. Any operational or staffing issues should be first addressed with the building principal, then to the Superintendent. If you wish to email an issue to the board, please direct your inquiry to [email protected].


MAPS Board of Education

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.


BoE Members

Kristen Cambensy (12/30)
BoE President
Jason Zdunek (12/28)
BoE Secretary-Treasurer
Jennifer Klipp (12/26)
BoE Trustee
Jennifer Ray (12/26)
BoE Trustee
Cherryl Maddox-Smith (12/28)
BoE Trustee
Cassidy Thomas (12/30)
BoE Trustee