Write in Justin Munsters.
For Caledonia Community Schools Board of Education on November 3. There are two open seats on our school board this year, and only one person signed up to run. I didn't want to see that second seat go empty, so I'm stepping up to help.
I'm a Caledonia parent who wants to help our kids, teachers, and staff have the best schools we can give them.
How to write me in
A write-in vote counts just like any other vote. It only takes a few extra seconds.
Find the school board race
It's in the nonpartisan section of your ballot. Look for Caledonia Community Schools, Board Member.
Fill in the oval
Fill in the oval next to one of the blank write-in lines, the same way you fill in the rest of your ballot.
Write my name
Write Justin Munsters on that line. Please include the s at the end.
You can pick two
This race lets you vote for up to two people, so you can vote for the other candidate too.
This is a sample. Your real ballot will look a little different.
Please do both steps. If the oval is filled in but the line is blank, or the name is written but the oval is empty, the vote can't be counted. Stickers and stamps aren't allowed, so the name needs to be handwritten.
When you can vote
- Right now
Absentee ballots are out. If you haven't sent yours back yet, you can still write me in.
- Oct 24 to Nov 1
Early in-person voting.
- Tuesday, Nov 3
Election Day. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Not sure if you live in the district? Check your sample ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote. If the Caledonia Community Schools board race is on it, you can write me in.
Why I'm running
This year there are two open seats on the Caledonia Community Schools board, and only one person filed to run. If no one is elected to the second seat, the board appoints someone to fill it. I'd rather the people of Caledonia get to choose, so I decided to put my name forward.
Serving on a school board means a lot of evening meetings and a lot of reading, and I understand why people pass on it. Still, our kids and the people who teach them deserve a full board that's paying attention. I want to be an active, steady member of that board, and someone you can call or stop and talk to at the grocery store.
Kids today are growing up with a lot of change around them, from phones and AI to tight budgets and a job market that keeps shifting. I'd like to help our schools stay focused on helping every student learn and on supporting the teachers and staff who make that happen. I'll listen to everyone, whether you speak up at a board meeting or just send me a message. Every family in this district deserves to be heard.
What I'd work on
These are the things I care about most. Where I mention numbers, I've linked to where they come from.
- Being careful with our money
The district's budget for this school year plans to spend about $3.9 million more than it brings in, using savings to cover the difference. That brings the district's savings from about 17% of the budget down to about 11%. There may be good reasons for this, and I want to understand them and help explain them clearly to families. I'm comfortable digging into big, detailed numbers, and I'm happy to do the homework.
Source: CCS budget hearing, June 2026
- Every student, every need
Caledonia schools do well overall, but averages can hide kids who are struggling. The district's own improvement plan says it did not meet expectations for students with disabilities in areas including growth, proficiency, and graduation. I want to make sure those students and their families get the support they need.
Source: CCS improvement plan, 2025–26
- Supporting teachers and staff
In 2025 the teacher contract expired before a new one was in place, and families waited longer than usual for the school calendar. A new agreement was reached that September. I want Caledonia to be a place where good teachers, aides, bus drivers, and support staff want to stay for the long haul.
Sources: WOOD TV8, August 2025 and September 2025
- Phones away during class
Michigan's new law limiting student phone use during class time starts this school year. I'd like to see it handled the same way in every building, with real support for the teachers who have to enforce it.
Source: State of Michigan, February 2026
- Getting kids ready for the future
Our kids will graduate into a world full of AI and new technology, and I work with these tools in my job. I want students to learn how to use them well and still think for themselves. I also want to support the trades and career programs that give students more paths after graduation.
- Listening to everyone
The board holds Committee of the Whole meetings for deeper discussion before formal votes. I'd like those conversations to be easy for busy families to find and follow, even if they can't make it to a weeknight meeting.
Source: CCS Board of Education
About me
I'm Justin Munsters. My wife and I live in Caledonia with our big blended family of five kids. My stepson is in 8th grade at Duncan Lake Middle School, and my stepdaughter is a Caledonia graduate who's now a senior at Michigan State.
I work in technology, leading data projects that support the Federal Aviation Administration. Most days I'm helping move large, older computer systems onto newer ones and helping teams agree on a plan. A lot of that carries over to a school board.
What I bring
- A kid in Caledonia schools right now
- Comfort working with large, complicated data and systems
- Experience leading big projects with a lot of people involved
What I'm still learning
- I'm not a teacher
- I've never held elected office
- I'll be asking teachers, staff, parents, and students plenty of questions, and I'll listen to the answers
What you can count on
I'll be an active, prepared member of the board, and I'll listen to every voice in our community, whether it's loud or quiet.
Common questions
Is this a serious campaign?
Yes. I like to keep things light, but I take this seriously. If I'm elected, I'll show up prepared for every meeting for all six years of the term.
Are you running against the other candidate?
No. There are two seats and only one name printed on the ballot. You can vote for both of us.
Is this a partisan race?
No. School board races in Michigan are nonpartisan, and I think that's a good thing. I'm here for our public schools, for every student in them, and for the teachers and staff who work so hard for them.
Does a write-in vote really count?
Yes. Write-in votes count as long as the candidate files paperwork with the county by October 23. I filed mine with Kent County on October 5, 2026. Write-in names are usually tallied after the polls close, so it may take a little longer to see my total.
What if I misspell your name?
Election officials count write-in votes when it's clear who the voter meant. I'd appreciate it if you wrote Justin Munsters, with the s at the end, though. Herman isn't on the ballot this year.
Is Munsters your real name?
It sure is. I've heard every joke, and I've probably told most of them myself. And yes, Election Day is three days after Halloween.
What does a school board member do?
The board hires and reviews the superintendent, approves the budget, sets district policies, and approves contracts. No single board member can make decisions alone. It takes a majority of the seven members to get anything done.
Want to help?
Write-in campaigns spread by word of mouth, so a little help goes a long way.
- Share this page with a friend or neighbor in Caledonia.
- Put a yard sign in your yard. I'll bring it by.
- Remind people to fill in the oval and write my name.