Courtesy Photo Former Rogers City Area Schools Board President Devin Pommerenke sits in his law office in this picture provided by him.

ROGERS CITY — Former Rogers City school board president Devin Pommerenke would like his resignation from the board to serve as a call to action for community members and specifically called on voters to reject a current school board candidate.

Although Pommerenke cited personal reasons when he resigned from the Rogers City Area Schools Board of Education on Monday, he expressed his frustration with the lack of candidates running for three open board seats in the Nov. 3 election.

“I hope that this community realizes this isn’t just about the people in this room, it’s about everybody, and I hope that, in my absence, good people come forward,” he said during Monday’s board meeting.

Board Secretary Francis Andrews and Trustee Donald Kromer are not seeking reelection. Only two candidates — Jenna Kuznicki and Shannon McKinstry — are on the Nov. 3 ballot. Treasurer Ivy Cook is seeking reelection as a write-in candidate.

Pommerenke’s resignation leaves a fourth seat on the school board vacant.

Pommerenke specifically called out McKinstry for standing behind former Rogers City superintendent David O’Bryant, who was in August 2018 sentenced to 30 days in jail and one year of probation for embezzling more than $1,000 from the Rogers City youth football program.

“She stood behind a guy who stole from kids and shamed the public board that moved in a different direction, and I don’t think that person deserves to sit on the board,” Pommerenke said. “I would ask the community not vote for her, because it is not in the best interest of our district, and I’m asking that the good people in our community step forward and help out the board members that are left behind.”

McKinstry, who is treasurer of the Rogers City Area Youth Football League, said Pommerenke’s wrong and she was part of the board that voted to get police involved.

McKinstry said it was “extremely uncomfortable” for her to do so, because she was friends with O’Bryant and his wife.

“I find it sad (Pommerenke) would not be willing to work with me for what you would think would be for the betterment of the school and community,” she said. “I’m very passionate about this community and I believe how we treat our schools and how the children learn and are educated is directly related to the vitality of a community.”

Pommerenke spoke highly of his fellow trustees and current Superintendent Nick Hein during Monday’s meeting.

“I think that we are a standard for a small community of what a school board should be,” he told The News on Tuesday. “I think that, in part, our community has taken that for granted. I want them to step up, and I want good people to step up, and I want them to come forward.

Those interested in filling Pommerenke’s position can submit a letter of interest to the district office, 1033 W. Huron Ave., Suite B, Rogers City, no later than 3 p.m. Oct. 23.

The board will appoint a trustee who will serve until the November 2022 election.

Crystal Nelson can be reached at 989-358-5687 or cnelson@thealpenanews.com.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect that Rogers City school board Treasurer Ivy Cook is seeking reelection as a write-in candidate. That information was incorrect in an earlier version of this story.