Board of Education

Board Information

DeWitt Public School's Board of Education will meet for the following:


Organizational/Regular Meeting on Monday, , January 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.


DeWitt Board of Education Office, 2957 W. Herbison Road, (Door #16), DeWitt, MI 48820

Note: If any person with a disability needs accommodations to participate in this meeting, please contact Deb Smith at smithda@dewittschools.net or 517-668-3005 at least one week prior to the date of this meeting. 

First Reading of Policies - December 9, 2024

Neola Fall Policy Updates

DeWitt Board of Education Meeting Documents - December 9, 2024

2024-25 DeWitt Public Schools Amended Budget Presentation

Local boards of education are responsible for the implementation of state laws and regulations. They are also responsible to the electorate from which they receive the right to serve. Formal Responsibilities of the board and its elected members:

DeWitt Public Schools Board of Education Meetings 

The DeWitt Board of Education meets regularly to conduct the business of the board. All meetings are open to the public. The DeWitt Board of Education has established its regular meetings for the school year on the second Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the DeWitt Board of Education Office, 2957 W. Herbison Road, DeWitt, Michigan. In addition, the DeWitt Board of Education will meet for a work session on the fourth Monday of April, June, August and November at 6:00 p.m., in the DeWitt Board of Education Office, 2957 W. Herbison Road, DeWitt, Michigan. The notice, minutes and report are posted for each meeting located at 2957 W. Herbison Road.

Note: If any person with a disability needs accommodations to participate in this virtual meeting, please contact Deb Smith at smithda@dewittschools.net or 517-668-3005 at least one day prior to the date of this meeting. 


Board Members

Jason Hanselman

President: Jason Hanselman

jasonhanselman@dewittschools.net 

Jason Hanselman graduated from Lansing Sexton High School before attending Michigan State University and receiving a degree in Public Administration. Jason then attended the University of Miami School of Law, receiving a Juris Doctor degree in 2000. After graduating from law school, Jason joined the law firm Dykema Gossett, where he is a partner in the firm’s Government Policy Group. Jason works with government entities and private clients in highly regulated industries, including education. Among other things, Jason helps universities, community colleges, regional educational service agencies, and local school districts with regard to a variety of issues, including the Revised School Code, the State School Aid Act, sunshine laws (open meetings and freedom of information), conflicts of interest, and other related issues. Jason and his wife Shelli have lived in DeWitt since 2000. They have two children, Avery (DHS alumni) and Luke who currently attend DeWitt Public Schools. An avid sports fan, Jason has coached in DeWitt’s youth basketball and soccer leagues and was appointed by the Governor as a State boxing commissioner. 

Current term will expire 12/31/26.

John Tramontana

Vice-President: John Tramontana

johntramontana@dewittschools.net

John Tramontana is a native of Niagara Falls, NY and a graduate of Niagara-Wheatfield Senior High School. He moved to Michigan in 2000 to begin studying at Michigan State University and completed his Bachelor's Degree in Journalism in 2004. After graduation, John returned to Western New York to work for the Buffalo Bills as a website reporter. From there he moved to the Upper Peninsula to begin his career as a television news reporter as the Iron Mountain Bureau Chief for WLUC-TV6. In 2006, John moved back to Lansing and served as WILX-TV's weekend morning anchor. John is now the CEO for the Michigan Veterinary Medical Association. He and his wife, Jessica, moved to DeWitt in 2012 and have two daughters, Isla and Gia. John bleeds green and white and is also an avid Buffalo Bills and Sabres fan. He is also a Realtor and sells residential real estate for Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood in DeWitt. 

Board Committee Assignment: Finance

Current term will expire 12/31/28.

Brad Wever

Treasurer: Brad Wever

bradwever@dewittschools.net

Brad Wever grew up in the Lansing area and has lived in DeWitt since 2011. After graduating from Lansing Catholic Central, Brad attended James Madison College at Michigan State University and received a bachelor’s degree in Social Relations. Since graduating in 2002, Brad has been engaged in policy development and the legislative process for the Michigan Legislature. He currently works for the Michigan House of Representatives where he consults on various policy issues, develops outreach initiatives and manages daily office operations. He has previously worked as Chief of Staff to the Chair of the Senate Education Committee and as the Director of Public Policy and External Relations for the charter schools office at Central Michigan University. In 2016, he completed a master’s degree in public administration from Central Michigan University. Brad’s wife Mary is a public school teacher and their three boys – Kaleb, Collin and Jacob – attend DeWitt Public Schools.

Board Committee Assignments: Finance and Policy

Current term will expire 12/31/30.

Brad Stoddard

Secretary: Brad Stoddard

bradstoddard@dewittschools.net

Brad Stoddard graduated from Colorado Tech University earning his bachelor of science in electrical engineering in three years. Upon graduation he worked in Research and Development with Space and Defense companies in the western United States supporting technology advancement for mission and warfare readiness. After leaving the Space and Defense sector, Brad was recruited by the Michigan State Police to oversee the engineering buildout of the state of the art statewide public safety communications system. Brad has been the IT Director for the Michigan State Police, Michigan Department of Transportation, and was asked to return to Michigan's Public Safety Communications System to oversee the long term development and strategic development of the largest public safety communications system in North America. Brad is a recognized expert in large scale public safety communications systems and has been a speaker regularly at state, regional, national and international conferences and has advised other states and countries on development of interoperable communications and related strategies Brad is the vice-chair of the Michigan Public Safety Communications Interoperability Board, the state of Michigan's advisory board to the governor for interoperable communications. Brad and Jenn have lived in DeWitt since 2008. They have two children, Paige (DHS alumni) and Cole currently attends DeWitt Public Schools. Brad has volunteered his time since living in DeWitt coaching girls and boys sports. 

Board Committee Assignment: Finance

Current term will expire 12/31/26.

Dwight Handspike

Trustee: Dwight Handspike

dwighthandspike@dewittschools.net

Dwight Handspike grew up in Detroit, MI and came to the Lansing area when he attended Michigan State University.  He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Master’s degree in Educational Administration with a focus on University Student Affairs Administration.  His educational training consisted of adolescent development, legal issues and education, leadership development, athletics in higher education, and multicultural education. Dwight has been employed by MSU for over 20 years and works in the MSU Broad College of Business as the Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Academic Services. Over the past few years, Dwight has become more engaged in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) endeavors in our community. He joined the DeWitt Community Partnership for DEI committee and most recently was the chairperson.  It is important to Dwight that the board, school district, and community members all work together to make DeWitt an inclusive community where all students feel welcomed, supported, and valued. While in DeWitt, Dwight has been a volunteer in the classrooms, attended field trips, and has volunteered at numerous field days.  He has also been a coach in basketball, soccer, flag football, baseball, softball and has been a member and president of the DHS Futbol Club.  Dwight is an avid supporter of the music and theater programs. Dwight and his wife, Sarah, have lived in DeWitt since 2003.  Three of their children (Julian, Isiah, and Alyssa) have graduated from DeWitt.  Their youngest (Lauren) currently attends DeWitt High School.

Board Committee Assignment: Curriculum

Current term will expire 12/31/28.

Angelina Barnes

Trustee: Angelina Barnes

angelinabarnes@dewittschools.net

Angelina Barnes graduated from Bullock Creek High School before attending James Madison College at Michigan State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations. Angelina then attended William Mitchell College of Law , receiving a Juris Doctor degree in 2008. After graduating law school, Angelina served as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Michael J. Davis of the U.S. District Courts, in the District of Minnesota. Angelina was appointed as an Assistant Attorney General with the Minnesota Office of the Attorney General where she worked in the Health Licensing Division providing legal services to Minnesota’s health-related licensing boards. As an Assistant Attorney General Angelina also counseled state boards on financial, policy, legal and ethical obligations of board service. From 2009 to 2017, Angelina served as the Executive Director of the Minnesota Board of Psychology. In 2017 Angelina was promoted to the role of Statewide Director of Internal Control and Accountability with Minnesota Management and Budget where she led a team to oversee the internal control systems of over 78 executive branch agencies and boards. Angelina was appointed by the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services and served for six years as an Attorney Chair of the Special Review Board responsible for conducting hearings and issuing Findings of Fact and Recommendations on petitions filed with the Board to request reductions in custody of individuals civilly committed under state statutes.  Angelina was also elected and served as a Board Member of her neighborhood Homeowners Association in her previous community. Angelina and her husband Justin have lived in Dewitt since 2018. Their children, Noah and Kieran, currently attend Dewitt Public Schools. Angelina serves on the Dewitt Sex Education Advisory Board and is an active volunteer on the Dewitt Marching Band “pit crew.”

Board Committee Assignments: Curriculum and Policy

Current term will expire 12/31/28.

Trustee: Hana Carpenter

hanacarpenter@dewittschools.net

Hana Carpenter grew up in DeWitt and graduated from Dewitt High School.  She attended Michigan State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Statistics & Probability with a specialization in Actuarial Science.  After graduation, she began her actuarial career at Auto-Owners Insurance Company.  She serves as the manager and designated actuary for the Homeowners Actuarial Department. Her team is responsible for pricing the Homeowners and Inland Marine lines of business.  She also serves on the in-house Underwriting Research & Development Committee. She completed the actuarial credentialing process in 2017 and became an ACAS (Associate of the Casualty Actuarial Society).  She is also a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. She received her CPCU (Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter) designation in 2016.  She and her husband, Will, have lived in DeWitt since 2013.  Will is a former teacher, currently on DeWitt Varsity Football staff.  They have 3 young daughters: Aubrey, Katelyn, and Olivia.  The older two attend DeWitt Public Schools.  In her free time, Hana enjoys traveling with her family and staying involved in her daughters’ activities: field trips, class parties, soccer, basketball, and dance. 

Board Committee Assignments: Curriculum and Policy

Current term will expire 12/31/30.