Candidate Questionnaire: Melissa Bliss for Three Rivers School Board

Melissa Bliss

Watershed Voice sent out questionnaires to over 30 candidates running for elected school board positions in St. Joseph County and the surrounding area. Leading up to the General Election on November 3, Watershed will publish the questionnaires as it receives them back from the candidates. Melissa Bliss, a candidate for the Three Rivers Community Schools’ Board of Education, filled out our questionnaire. These are her answers.

Name: Melissa Bliss

Age: 43

Address: 15684 Shady Lane, Three Rivers, MI 49093

Family (optional): Zach Bliss (husband), Leah Crooks (daughter), Ethan Crooks (son)

Background/Bio:

I was born in Seoul, South Korea, adopted, and raised in Saranac, Michigan.  After high school I attended Central Michigan University where I received my bachelor’s degree.  I met my husband in Cass City and we moved to Three Rivers in 2008 with our children Leah and Ethan Crooks. 

I am currently working as the City Clerk for Three Rivers and the part time Executive Director for the Three Rivers Area Community Foundation.  This is my 10th year working for both organizations. 

Does your background include training or work, paid or unpaid, in education? What was that experience? What are some of your successes, and what have been some learning moments?

I do not have a background in education, but I am a parent of two children that have been through the Three Rivers school district from elementary through high school.  I also volunteered for 5 years at the middle school with the Five Star program and I am actively involved with the high school students through the Foundation and our scholarship program.  I was also a member of the business advisory committee with Mrs. Howe before she retired. 

Over the years, I have seen programs come and go, teachers and administration turnover.  It has brought an awareness and sense of appreciation for the quality leaders that we have in our district.  My experiences with the district have been positive and provided me with several opportunities to build relationships among students and staff. 

Do you now or have you ever had children enrolled in the district where you are running?

Yes.  Leah started 4th grade at Andrews elementary and graduated from TRHS in 2017.  Ethan began kindergarten at Andrews elementary is currently a senior at TRHS.

How else do you currently participate, or have you participated in the past, in school district activities?

My participation in the district has been as a parent and my role as the Executive Director for the Foundation.  I will continue to work with the administration and staff at the high school to promote and provide foundation scholarship opportunities to the TRHS graduating seniors. 

How has your school district handled the pandemic in both the spring and fall of this year? If anything, what would you have done differently?

As a parent, I felt well informed of the current changes that were being implemented, considering the current pandemic situation.  I do not know enough about how the internal processes were handled to know if I would have done things differently. 

Outside of the pandemic, what are currently the most important challenges your school district faces? How do you plan to address those challenges?

Board Roles – The roles of a board member are clear; goal setting through strategic planning, establishing policies that help improve the work of the district, hiring and evaluating the district’s superintendent, and overseeing the budget as it aligns with the district’s vision. Deviating from those roles can undermine the work of the Superintendent and the rest of the administration and staff. It can also provide parents and families with unclear expectations. 

Fiscal Responsibility – The bond proposal that was passed in 2019 will be heavily scrutinized by the taxpayers, and it is important for the district to continue communicating and informing the public about the improvements and changes that are being made.     

Are there other key points of your platform as a candidate for school board? If so, what are they?

I have a willingness to serve, learn, and use my skills and experiences to help make effective decisions.  As a board member, I believe you are also responsible for serving as leaders and representatives of the community.

How does running for the school board fit your broader views and ethics?

Serving on the school board is one way that I can get involved and be a part of the community.  I believe that volunteering and serving others is something that we should all do for a season of our lives.  Giving back to the community that I call home is something I take pride in. 

Why is education important to you?

We need to invest in our young people today because those are the leaders of our tomorrow. 

Is there anything else the community should know about you?

There are so many good candidates running in this election and I wish them all the best!