District News

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (GRPS) – The Grand Rapids Board of Education voted Wednesday to appoint Erika VanDyke to fill the board's trustee vacancy.

VanDyke has worked in nonprofit, philanthropic, and education spaces, including FoodCorps, the Kent School Services Network, Grand Rapids Community Foundation, and Urban Core Collective. She is currently a Program Manager & Community Liaison at the Steelcase Foundation.

“I look forward to serving GRPS scholars and families in this new role and working alongside my board colleagues to continue moving our district forward,” VanDyke said.

VanDyke will serve through December 31, 2026. The remaining two years of the term will be completed by a candidate elected in the November 3, 2026, election. The vacancy was created when former Trustee Arick Davis resigned on January 23.

A total of 20 candidates applied to fill the vacancy. The Board of Education selected four candidates to interview for the position: Robert Hovenkamp, Ismalis Nuñez, Raynard Ross, and VanDyke.

“I am very thankful for all of the candidates who applied for our vacancy. Putting yourself forward for public service takes courage and commitment, and we do not take that lightly. A special thank you to our four finalists for participating in our interview process and a huge congratulations to our newly-appointed Trustee Erika VanDyke,” said Board of Education President José Rodriguez.

VanDyke will take the Oath of Office during the Board of Education Work Session on Monday, February 23.