MIDLAND, Mich. — Will Zablocki has announced that he is running for a seat on the Midland Public Schools Board of Education in 2022.
Mr. Zablocki is a software engineer, but he declined to disclose his place of employment. He said that he previously served on the Clare-Gladwin board of realtors and that he is “familiar with how boards are run.” He has four children attending school in the district.
Three current board members have terms which end on Dec. 31, 2022: Vice President Phillip Rausch, Treasurer Jon Lauderbach, and Trustee Patrick Frazee.
Messrs. Rausch and Frazee have not yet indicated if they will seek another term on the board. Mr. Frazee was appointed to the board in July. Mr. Lauderbach told the City Paper that he will seek reelection.
Mr. Lauderbach and school board president Scott McFarland are donors to the City Paper. Please read our Editorial Independence policy to see how our sponsors and donors never influence our journalism.
Mr. Zablocki is an administrator of ‘Rise Up Midland,’ the anti-mask Facebook group which organized a protest against a change to the Midland Public Schools mask policy in September.
“I oppose masking children. I think there are health consequences that outweigh the benefits,” Mr. Zablocki told the City Paper.
The group, which was formerly called “PARENTS AGAINST MPS MASK MANDATE,” claims to be “not…political,” however its members have started in some instances to migrate from posts on masking policies to other conservative bogeymen such as vaccines, voter fraud and sex education.
“I officially have enough signatures and am required to disclose that I will be running for School Board Member in 2022 to replace one of the 3 incumbents who do not seem to fully understand the role of parents in a child’s education,” Mr. Zablocki posted to the group. “As a school board member, I can promise parent engagement. I will listen. I am not a politician. I think I’ve even demonstrated with both sides of the issue that I listen to all perspectives.”
Trustees are elected to six-year terms.
“People in Rise Up Midland have been asking me [about running for school board] since the group has started, because it’s clear that we will be ignored until there are elected board members who are willing to stand up for our children,” Mr. Zablocki told the City Paper.
In 2006, Mr. Zablocki was sentenced to four months in jail for forgery and breaking and entering with the intent to steal. In 2008, Mr. Zablocki was sentenced to 93 days in jail, held in abeyance, for third-degree retail fraud and placed on probation for nine months.
“I would actually categorize this unfortunate background as a great strength,” Mr. Zablocki told the City Paper. “I’ve overcome challenges that most people can’t overcome. And I promise to bring that courage to the school board as well.”
Michael Piwowarski contributed reporting.
