Meet the Board

President | Term expires: 2024

skipkno@comcast.net
 

Virgil (Skip) Knowles is no stranger to service and leadership. He has served tirelessly on the school board for 34 years. Most notably he has been the Board president for 31 years. In addition he has served on the following Board committees: Auditorium, Capital Projects/Building and Site, Personnel, Negotiations, Student Affairs, New Board Member Orientation, Board Room Renovation, Board Evaluation, Legislative/LINKS rep, and Strategic Planning rep.

When not providing leadership for the School Board, Skip is involved with the Vicksburg Community Association, Vicksburg Downtown Development Authority, Vicksburg Municipal Building Authority, Vicksburg Rotary Club, and the Vicksburg Old Car Festival and has held leadership positions in each. Additionally, he has served on the Kalamazoo County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Kalamazoo County Chamber of Commerce.

Skip's leadership is evident by positions he holds or has held: VCS Board president, chairman of the Vicksburg Downtown Development Authority, Chairman of the Kalamazoo County School Officers, past president of Vicksburg Rotary, Secretary of the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency Board of Education, Chairman of the Vicksburg Old Car Festival, Chairman of the Kalamazoo County Schools Legislative Committee. Skip is a certified board member of the Michigan Association of School Boards.

Skip makes time to get in the classroom as he annually talks to the High School government classes and he reads to elementary classes. In the past he has been involved in the Middle School Study Committee, Facilities Improvement, Keep Good Schools for Kids Committee, Kids are the Future Committee, and Band Boosters.

Vice-President | Term expires: 2024

calohman@aol.com
 

Carol Lohman has a history of utilizing her leadership by providing service to the community of Vicksburg. She has served on the Board of Education since 1984. Over the years she has served on the following committees: Personnel, Negotiations, Capital Projects/Building and Site, Technology, Board Evaluation, New Board Member Orientation, and Board Room Renovation. Carol has served actively on the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation as well as the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency representative. Additionally, she has stayed involved in the Kalamazoo County School Officers Association.

Since 1984 Carol has been an active and involved member of the Vicksburg United Methodist Church where she has participated on various committees. She has been a Kids Hope mentor for the past six years, has been involved with Rotary Showboat, and sat on the Bronson Vicksburg Hospital Advisory Board. Carol's leadership is evident in the roles she has assumed as past president of the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation and vice president of the Board of Education with 22 years of service. She is the Scholarship Chair for the Foundation as well as serving on the Public Relations Committee.

Since retirement Carols spends time at the Middle School supporting the Science Department.

Term expires: 2026

dwgrabow@comcast.net
 

Dan Grabowski relocated to Vicksburg from Kalamazoo in 1990, and has been involved with the Vicksburg Community Schools since 2005 when his son, Adam, entered Kindergarten at Indian Lake Elementary. Dan and his wife and joined the Vicksburg HS Athletic Boosters in 2013.  In 2014, they were appointed to the Executive Board secretary position.  During their tenure, they were involved in multiple committees, revitalization programs and events.  The opportunity allowed Dan to gain greater perspective of the culture, goals and values of both Athletic and Academic communities. Dan is recently retired from Pfizer where he served as Senior Manager for the last 20 years supporting various Organic and Fermentation Operations.

When approached regarding the Vicksburg Board position, Dan was very excited with the possible opportunity.  His leadership skills and past experiences and involvement will be very beneficial in supporting Vicksburg and the Educational Community.

Dan and Cheryl live on Indian Lake.  Their son, a recent graduate of Vicksburg High School is attending Michigan State University.

Term expires: 2024

rcentofanti@vicksburgschools.org

Ron Centofanti was appointed to the Board of Education on June 12th, 2023, to fill the seat vacated by Jennifer Buikema. 

Ron and his wife Melissa relocated to Southwest Michigan in 2001. Because of its small-town appeal and the reputation of its schools, they found Vicksburg the ideal place to start their family. They have three daughters, two of whom are attending VHS and their oldest is a recent graduate. Ron and his wife actively support their children’s education, encouraging participation in academics, the arts, and athletics. Ron volunteered with the Vicksburg Control Freaks Robotics Club and helped mentor past middle school teams.

Ron attended Michigan Technological University earning his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He has worked for Stryker for over 19 years and currently supports their Medical Division in managing capital improvement projects. 

Ron is eager to give back to the community by serving as a trustee on the board. He looks to partner with his fellow board members to ensure the continued success of the school district.

Ron said, “Being on the school board is an incredible opportunity to give back and make a difference in our community.  I am excited to collaborate with this board and our administration to ensure Vicksburg schools continue to be a place of opportunity and a source of outstanding education for our children.”

Term expires: 2026

swilloughby@vicksburgschools.org

Stephanie Willoughby is excited to serve the community and felt the best way to do that was to become a VCS board member. She has one child attending VCS and two who have recently graduated. She feels making connections and communicating with the community will help create trust and build a stronger relationship between the Board, parents, and families.

Stephanie worked for eight years at the Vicksburg District Library as the Youth Services Librarian.  Stephanie enjoyed visiting the schools in the District; sharing about the Summer Reading program, story times with Bulldog Beginnings and Kids Klub, and book clubs with the middle school students.  She feels that being out and about in her neighborhood and community, hearing children call out "You're the library lady" and sharing what they are reading is the best. Currently Stephanie has returned to the Kalamazoo Valley Museum as the Program Coordinator. She organizes family events and does outreach there.  

Stephanie’s professional background also includes serving as a Director of Children's Ministries for two large churches in Kalamazoo County for over 13 years. 

Term expires: 2028

tinaforsyth@yahoo.com
 

Christina (Tina) Forsyth has never hesitated to take on leadership roles. This is clearly illustrated by her willingness to serve on the Vicksburg Board of Education two separate times in her life. She has logged 18 years on the Board to this date. Tina has been on the following Board committees: Auditorium, Student Affairs, Technology, Board Orientation/Evaluation and Transportation.

Tina has spent a "lifetime" volunteering for the Vicksburg Rotary Showboat. She has a history of providing service with the FlowerFest, Main Street Revue, and an area co-op preschool. Additionally, she has helped with the annual Girl Scouts event at the Performing Arts Center.

Tina has an exhaustive history volunteering at Tobey Elementary. She served on the PTO Board, volunteered for fund raising, spent countless hours in classrooms, chaperoned field trips and lent a hand wherever needed. Tina has held leadership positions with the PTO, co-op preschool, and in stage management.

You have probably seen Tina around the Performing Arts Center as she stays active in the schools' arts and theater as well as the operation of the Performing Arts Center.

Term expires: 2026

david.schriemer@sbcglobal.net
 

Dr. Dave Schriemer  has been a board member since 2005. He has been involved in the community since making Vicksburg home in 1989. He has enjoyed performing in the Rotary Showboat, served as trustee on the Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation and supported, announced and run in the Vicksburg Hearty Hustle 5k.

Dr. Schriemer and his wife, Dr. Paula Schriemer, have three children, each of whom received their education in Vicksburg Schools, graduating in 2010, 2012 and 2018. Like most dads, he has helped coach his children in Little League, helped with playground improvements and worked concessions to raise money for various athletic teams. He continues to be a Kids Hope mentor at Sunset Lake Elementary, counting that one hour a week as one of his most important activities.

His role as a family doctor in Vicksburg has given him unique opportunities to serve the community. Several VHS graduates have shadowed him in his office to help them in their career pursuits. He has organized and performed sports physicals for VHS and VMS students since 1989.

He is on the board of the Vicksburg Foundation and sees patients at Bronson Family Medicine Vicksburg.