Four new members elected to Grand Rapids school board as enrollment falls

Overview

Updated 7 days ago

Voters elected four new members to the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education on Nov. 3: Ismalis Nuñez, Carlos Kulas-Dominguez, Amaad Hardy and Antoinette Chapman. Board President José Rodriguez won a second four-year term, and Erika VanDyke took an unopposed partial term.

The newcomers start Jan. 1, when the board oversees a district of about 14,000 students that has lost nearly 30% of its enrollment since 2010. They will also work with a new superintendent: the board voted 8-1 on Oct. 28 to hire Chicago educator Allison Tingwall, who takes over from Leadriane Roby after Roby's contract ends in June 2027.

Why it matters

The new board will decide how a 14,000-student district shrinks, which schools close and whether parents trust the process.

Last Monday's email for Grand Rapids, MI

Sent Nov 9. It carried:

Amphitheater donor deal lets Acrisure pursue venue owner's insurance business Acrisure gave $30 million to put its name on Grand Rapids' new riverfront amphitheater. MLive reported on Nov. 7,...
Michigan Supreme Court approves pilot program for domestic cases in four counties The Michigan Supreme Court adopted an order on Oct. 14 creating a simpler court process for domestic cases in Kent,...
Grand Rapids Marine Corps Reserve Center set for demolition Morrison Industrial Equipment plans to tear down the four buildings at the former Naval and Marine Corps Reserve...
Isabella Bank completes acquisition of Grand River Bank Isabella Bank has completed its acquisition of Grand River Bank, giving the Mount Pleasant-based lender its first...

Get next Monday's: one short email a week. Free. Unsubscribe in one click.

Questions about this story

Free account needed to ask — your question is kept and asked for you right after sign-up. Answers are public.

No questions yet — be the first to ask.

Key Indicators

New board members elected

Ismalis Nuñez, Carlos Kulas-Dominguez, Amaad Hardy and Antoinette Chapman start Jan. 1.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

José Rodriguez

President, Grand Rapids Board of Education

Re-elected to a second four-year term in November 2026

Allison Tingwall

Incoming superintendent, Grand Rapids Public Schools

Hired Oct. 28, 2026, pending contract negotiations; takes over in 2027

Organizations Involved

Grand Rapids Public Schools

Public school district

About 14,000 students; new board seated Jan. 1; superintendent transition to Allison Tingwall in 2027

The district enrolls about 14,000 students and has lost nearly 30% of its enrollment since 2010.

Grand Rapids Board of Education

Elected school board

Four new members elected Nov. 3 and seated Jan. 1; hired Allison Tingwall as next superintendent

The board governs Grand Rapids Public Schools, setting budgets, closures and superintendent policy.

Timeline

2023 November 2026

4 events Latest: 7 days ago

Tap a bar to jump to that date

November 2026
Four new faces elected to Grand Rapids school board
Latest Election

MLive reports voters chose four new members for the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education on Nov. 3.
7 days ago
October 2026
Board hires Chicago educator as next superintendent
Appointment

The board voted 8-1 to hire Allison Tingwall, Chicago Public Schools' executive director of principal quality, pending contract negotiations. Superintendent Leadriane Roby stays through June 2027.
October 28th, 2026
Candidates outline priorities as 15 seek five seats
Election

Michigan Public publishes a candidate survey ahead of the Nov. 3 school board election.
October 20th, 2026
2023
Report finds community trust gap
Report

A report commissioned by GRPS found some parents and students felt the district took a 'transactional' approach to community feedback.
2023

Scenarios

New board approves at least one additional school closure by 2028

Likely Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Michigan Public reporting on enrollment decline and expected closures

The district has lost nearly 30% of enrollment since 2010 and expects three more schools to close by 2028. If the new board follows that trajectory, it will vote to close or consolidate at least one more building to match capacity to enrollment. Community opposition could slow or block the vote.

New board keeps all three slated schools open through 2028

Unlikely Resolves by End of 2028

Discussed by: Parents and community groups cited in Michigan Public reporting

Community pushback over closures could persuade the new board to reverse or delay the three expected closures. That would preserve buildings but leave the district with more space than students, forcing cuts elsewhere.

New board adopts formal community engagement policy by end of 2027

Possible Resolves by End of 2027

Discussed by: Michigan Public reporting on parent organizing and the 2023 trust report

Parents have organized since 2023 to push for more community feedback. A formal policy would require public engagement before major decisions such as school closures. The new board could adopt one to rebuild trust, or leave the current approach in place.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

2013

Chicago Public Schools closure vote (2013)

Chicago's school board voted to close dozens of schools as enrollment fell and budgets tightened. The vote drew protests and became a test of how a district balances empty buildings against neighborhood stability.

Then

Closures proceeded, and the district consolidated students into remaining buildings.

Now

The episode became a national reference point for how school closures can strain community trust.

Why this matters now

Grand Rapids faces a similar choice: it has half-empty buildings and three more schools expected to close by 2028.

2009-2016

Detroit Public Schools emergency management (2009-2016)

Michigan appointed emergency managers for Detroit Public Schools as enrollment fell and deficits grew, reducing the elected board's authority. The district cycled through leaders and restructuring plans.

Then

The state oversaw layoffs, school closures and a split of the district into a new system.

Now

The crisis left a lasting question about how much control local boards retain when districts lose students and money.

Why this matters now

Grand Rapids' new board takes office with less severe finances, but the Detroit case shows how enrollment decline can shift power away from elected officials.