Mary Gunther for Grandville Schools

02/17/2025

Hi 👋 I wanted to share a cool opportunity for some networking and to support local Standale and Walker businesses! The businesses that are in our district are so supportive of our schools and play an important role. All are welcome!

🌟 Join the Walker Chamber and Master of Ceremonies Mary G. on Thursday, February 20th!

☑️ Voting is open until February 18th at Midnight! Vote here: https://bit.ly/3QozYWI

🎟️ For tickets and to learn more click here: https://bit.ly/3QnhZQE Walk-ins welcome the night of the event!

02/12/2025

Greetings Grandville!

You may have heard of the recent resignation of Barb Palmer from the Grandville School Board. Barb served our community for many years and I thank her for her many contributions.

The existing Board now has 30 days to appoint an individual to the open seat. Since I recently ran and my passion to serve our schools and community remains, I am applying to the open seat.

If you voted for me and want to make your voice heard, I encourage you to email the board members what your preference is for the appointment. (see below for emails)

If the majority of the board cannot agree and there is a tie vote, a random drawing will occur of the applicants put forth.

Thank you to those that have reached out, written letters of support, and are still invested in our schools!

Amy Gardine
[email protected]

Bob Wondergem
[email protected]

Brent DeHaan
[email protected]

Jason Heyboer
[email protected]

Joe Steffes
[email protected]

Sally VanEck
[email protected]

You can also send messages here: https://www.gpsbulldogs.org/apps/pages/boarddirectory

11/06/2024

Congratulations to Sally Van Eck and Jason Heyboer for their wins!

I am grateful for the opportunity to run as a candidate this year, proud of our campaign efforts, and am humbled by the support I received.

I have made so many new friends and look forward to seeing you all out in the community. I now return to “normal” life, which is pretty awesome!

Wishing you all a wonderful rest of 2024…Election Season is officially over!

Peace and Love,
Mary Gunther

11/03/2024

Happy Daylight Savings Time! ⏰ Since we all gained an extra 60 minutes today, if you haven’t already viewed this video, and have 5 minutes to spare, take a look! 📺

When thinking about the story I wanted to tell, I knew it had to be about my journey as a Grandville student, which truly laid the groundwork for my adult life.

For inspiration, I dug out the boxes of memories, yearbooks, art work, and started reflecting on what it all meant.

I hope you get a better idea of who I am and why I decided to run for Grandville School Board. This has been a journey like no other and I’m truly grateful for the experience.

If my history, experience, and story resonates with you, I ask for your vote on November 5th! Flip your ballot and be sure to checkout the bottom section. ☑️Mary Gunther

11/01/2024

The topic of Title IX and 'boys in girls bathrooms and locker rooms' is an issue that defines much of this school board race.

I hear from people that are defending the 2024 version of Title IX that

"this is not happening in our schools"
"there are protocols in place"
"kids don't really care about this issue, they are worried about other things"

Unfortunately, two people who are publicly responding to the community's concerns in this way are two people running for Grandville School Board - Jason Heyboer and Sally Van Eck. They completely deny not only that this is a real concern for families and students, but more disturbingly deny that the issue is happening in our schools.

They are wrong. But, more concerning, they are flat out lying.

At the August 5th Board meeting Sally Van Eck was in the audience and visible on screen and Jason Heyboer was present as the Board President when a Grandville Dad shared his story.

Please view the video at the 38 minute mark to hear his full comments. This concerned Dad outlined an incident that had occurred to his daughter and her friend. I have spoken to this Dad and he has given me permission to share his story here. He actually said his daughter was the one who encouraged him to speak out because he was scared to do so as he didn't want her life to be disrupted further.

That's where we are - parents scared to speak up for their daughters for fear of being labeled anti-trans or homophobic and their daughters are saying "PLEASE, we need to speak up about this, it's happening to us."

This all leads to some important questions:

-Why are Sally Van Eck and Jason Heyboer denying this is happening when they sat in a room and heard it was happening from a Grandville parent?

-Why can't our community and the adults in the room have a real conversation about what the 2024 Title IX changes imply for our biological daughters? (If you are not well versed on the differences between the 2020 and 2024 versions of Title IX, message me directly and I'll send you more information).

-Why aren't we collectively standing up for our biological girls' rights to privacy, safety, protection, and opportunities? What about their rights?

I proudly and unapologetically stand for our girls' rights to privacy, protection, safety, and opportunities and this should not be a controversial stance in 2024.

If you agree, I ask for your vote on November 5th. Vote common sense. Our daughters are depending on it.

Listen to public comment at the 38 min mark:

Grandville Board Meeting - 8.5.2024

10/31/2024

10/30/2024

Scroll to the 36 minute mark to hear Shaun Yonker for Grandville School Board and I!

Or, listen to the whole thing because it’s all good!

Enjoy! ☺️

Podcast Episode · Justin Barclay · 10/30/2024 · 39m

10/29/2024

Update: call moved to 9:45am!

📻 TUNE IN toJustin Barclay tomorrow morning at 9:30am to hear Shaun Yonker for Grandville School Board and I on WOOD Radio or wherever you get podcasts. Woo hoo!

10/29/2024

It's hard to believe we are one week out from Election Day. Throughout the past few months, I have told my story, shared who I am, what I believe, my WHY, my history as a lifelong Bulldog, my accomplishments, and education and experience that I can offer to Grandville Public Schools. I appreciate you all taking the time to get to know me.

But, the most important accomplishment and role I proudly hold is Wife to Brandon and Mom to William and Grace. The biggest THANK YOU needs to be given to my husband who has been holding things down at home while I have been working extremely long days managing my school board campaign while simultaneously running my business and attempting to put as much time as possible aside for family time and rest.

The kids have driven around with me dropping off signs, patiently waited as I've chatted with community members, all while pointing out "Mom's signs!" as we drive and drive and drive around our district. While I'm not sure they fully understand what's going on, they are excited because we're excited.

Thank you to everyone who has shown us kindness. We have an amazing community filled with caring people. Win or lose, we are lucky to call Grandville home.

Now and always,
-Gunthers (for Grandville!)

10/28/2024

Dear Grandville Public School Community,

As we near the end of a grueling election season, I wanted to take a moment to thank those that have reached out with words of encouragement and support, volunteered, and donated. Your belief in me has been incredibly humbling and I'll never forget it.

This evening, for those that haven't voted yet, I'm here to ask for your vote. Here are my priorities:

☑️ I support students, who will always be my first priority.

☑️ I support families and parental rights.

☑️ I support teachers, administration, and staff and will ensure they have the resources and tools they need to perform at a high level, including developing professionally throughout their career with Grandville Schools.

☑️ I support mutual respect and trust between teachers and parents and believe this is crucial to our kids' success.

☑️ I support transparency and accountability, including enforcement of established policies.

☑️ I support safe and secure classrooms and environments.

☑️ I support saving Title IX as it was originally intended and the 2020 version of Title IX which gives protections for girls and women. We must ensure girls don't lose the rights we've had in place since 1972.

If these items align with your values, I ask you to flip your ballot, see the non-partisan section, and vote for a lifelong Bulldog and Mom who is ready to serve - Mary Gunther for Grandville School Board!

10/26/2024

10/21/2024

As a proud lifelong Bulldog, Mom of 2, Wife, and Business Owner, I will bring:

⭐ Fresh perspective and a lived experience as a K-12 Grandville student where I can weave the past, present, and future together for our community.

⭐ Ten years of Board Administration experience, competence, and skills needed to hit the ground running as a productive Board Member.

⭐ Sensibility and common sense approach to decision making, including an openness to listening to others' points of views.

⭐ A high level of commitment and care for several years to come. My children are just beginning their public school journey. I am fully invested and will be walking alongside all the families in our district - into the future - together.

I humbly ask for your VOTE through early voting or heading to the polls on November 5th. 🇺🇸

Sincerely,
Your dedicated Grandville School Board Candidate -Mary Gunther 🤝

10/20/2024

A sentimental Sunday post 🙂

A lot of people ask me why I’m running for Grandville School Board. They don’t understand why anyone would want the stress. One thing you may not know about me is that I come from a long line of public servants.

My Dad, Joe Sierawski, has always been an active community member and served on the Grandville City Council when I was growing up. As kids, we witnessed my Dad campaign, meet people, and make a difference.

Before him, his Dad and my Grandpa, Frank Sierawski, was the director of the State of Michigan Services Bureau and assistant Secretary of State in 1961. He was described as a popular, tireless and effective public servant. He really enjoyed and believed in public service.

I currently have several other relatives in a different part of the state that are serving and/or running for office.

So, here I am. Carrying on the family legacy of service. It’s definitely not easy, but like the people that have come before me, we serve with heart and genuine intentions to make a positive difference.

Voting is currently happening and November 5th is just around the corner! We're working as hard as ever and want to earn your vote - Gunther for Grandville School Board!

Learn more: www.votemarygunther.com

📸 Photos of both my Dad and I in front of the Roll of Honor Memorial at Wedgwood Park, my Grandpa, Frank Sierawski, and the newspaper announcement for his 1964 run for Congress.

10/19/2024

My official response to the literature distributed at the October 18th football game:

1) I was not involved in the events of last evening.

2) I am committed to running a respectful and clean campaign and have shared my views on various topics such as bullying and the divisions in our society on my page during this election season.

3) I have personally been mercilessly attacked both online and publicly and even had an individual stand outside my son's elementary school with a sign that said I was a bigot. This event occurred in September and both the Superintendent and Wyoming PD were made aware of this incident.

4) Sally Van Eck and I had a conversation in September stating our mutual respect for each other and that while we knew attacks may happen by people, we committed to not being a part of that activity. Therefore, I do not blame Sally Van Eck or Jason Heyboer for the attacks I have been experiencing during this campaign season. I know they are not in support of this behavior nor am I.

5) As a person that voluntarily is running for Grandville School Board, I understood that personal attacks most likely would occur. When one becomes a public figure, this inevitably may happen. I accepted this because of my desire to contribute positively to Grandville Public Schools and because it's worth it for our kids.

My hope is in these final days of the campaign that we can all remain focused on what matters which is our students, teachers, and staff that make Grandville Public Schools an amazing place to be.

Mary Gunther

10/11/2024

Learn more about my journey as a lifelong Bulldog and why I am passionate about serving Grandville Public Schools!