When a vacancy opened up on the Lakewood School Board of Education recently, Melissa McClelland was asked by a friend to consider volunteering for the seat. A board member had stepped down, with two years of a term to be filled.

 

Thinking about it, she said:  “I saw the need. I like to help out when I see a need.” She’s already taken the oath of office and participated in her first board meeting.

 

“There’s a lot to learn; a lot to know, but I’m ready to do it.”

She’s excited, still meeting everyone, getting familiar with the system and learning about boardsmanship.

 

McClelland is employed at the Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Union Local 2  in Lansing. Husband Duffy is a Real Estate Broker and owner of Lakewood Real Estate in Lake Odessa. They live in Woodland.

 

They have connections to Lakewood Schools; their daughter graduated from Lakewood High School last year and their son will graduate from Lakewood this year. That was a consideration; the children are old enough now they do not need all of a parent’s time, McClelland said.

 

She’s looking forward to working with the board members; she has heard when working together on a common goal with a group of people they become like a family.

“Woodland is like a family; I’m happy to give back to the community,” she said.