Scott Boman
Scott Boman (also known as Scotty) is a member of the Detroit Community Advisory Council in Michigan, representing District 4. Boman assumed office on January 1, 2023. Boman's current term ends on January 1, 2026.
Boman (Libertarian Party) ran for election for an at-large seat of the Michigan State Board of Education. Boman lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Boman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Scott Boman was born in Detroit, Michigan. He earned a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University in 1985. He also earned a graduate degree from Western Michigan University. Boman attended Wayne State University in 1998. His career experience includes working as a professor, substitute teacher, research scientist, and technician. He has also worked in the food service and entertainment industries.[1][2]
Boman has been affiliated with the following organizations:[2]
- American Federation of Teachers
- Inner City Youth Group
- Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight
- National Action Network
- Libertarian Party of Michigan
- Morningside Community Organization
- MEC Neighborhood Patrol
- Gun Owners of America
- Hood Research
Elections
2024
See also: Michigan State Board of Education election, 2024
General election
General election for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Michigan State Board of Education on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Nikki Snyder (R) | 24.5 | 2,507,968 | |
| ✔ | Tom McMillin (R) | 24.2 | 2,477,547 | |
| Theodore Jones (D) | 23.6 | 2,413,996 | ||
| Adam Zemke (D) | 22.6 | 2,311,379 | ||
| Mary Anne Hering (Working Class Party) | 2.3 | 234,584 | ||
| Scott Boman (L) | 1.5 | 152,846 | ||
| Christine Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | 0.9 | 90,372 | ||
| Ted Gerrard (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | 0.6 | 56,683 | ||
| Total votes: 10,245,375 | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
Democratic convention
Democratic convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
Theodore Jones and Adam Zemke advanced from the Democratic convention for Michigan State Board of Education on August 24, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Theodore Jones (D) | |
| ✔ | Adam Zemke (D) | |
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Republican convention
Republican convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
Incumbent Tom McMillin and incumbent Nikki Snyder advanced from the Republican convention for Michigan State Board of Education on August 24, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Tom McMillin (R) | |
| ✔ | Nikki Snyder (R) | |
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Green convention
Green convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
N. Jefferey Sparling advanced from the Green convention for Michigan State Board of Education on June 15, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | N. Jefferey Sparling (G) | |
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Libertarian convention
Libertarian convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
Scott Boman advanced from the Libertarian convention for Michigan State Board of Education on July 20, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Scott Boman (L) | |
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U.S. Taxpayers Party convention
U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
Ted Gerrard and Christine Schwartz advanced from the U.S. Taxpayers Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education on July 27, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Ted Gerrard (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | |
| ✔ | Christine Schwartz (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | |
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Working Class Party convention
Working Class Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
Mary Anne Hering advanced from the Working Class Party convention for Michigan State Board of Education on June 23, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Mary Anne Hering (Working Class Party) | |
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Boman in this election.
2022
See also: City elections in Detroit, Michigan (2022)
General election
Special general election for Detroit Community Advisory Council District 4
Scott Boman won election in the special general election for Detroit Community Advisory Council District 4 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Scott Boman (Nonpartisan) | 96.9 | 12,966 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 3.1 | 419 | ||
| Total votes: 13,385 | ||||
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2021
See also: City elections in Detroit, Michigan (2021)
General election
General election for Detroit Board of Police Commissioners District 4
Incumbent Willie Bell defeated Scott Boman in the general election for Detroit Board of Police Commissioners District 4 on November 2, 2021.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Willie Bell (Nonpartisan) | 62.6 | 6,627 | |
| Scott Boman (Nonpartisan) | 37.0 | 3,915 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 46 | ||
| Total votes: 10,588 | ||||
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Nonpartisan primary election
The primary election was canceled. Incumbent Willie Bell and Scott Boman advanced from the primary for Detroit Board of Police Commissioners District 4.
2018
General election
General election for Michigan State Board of Education (2 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Michigan State Board of Education on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Judith Pritchett (D) | 25.2 | 1,830,312 | |
| ✔ | Tiffany Tilley (D) | 24.0 | 1,743,379 | |
| Tami Carlone (R) | 22.3 | 1,615,129 | ||
| Richard Zeile (R) | 20.3 | 1,473,904 | ||
| Mary Anne Hering (Working Class Party) | 1.7 | 125,693 | ||
| Scott Boman (L) | 1.7 | 125,309 | ||
| Logan Smith (Working Class Party) | 1.3 | 91,077 | ||
| John Tatar (L) | 1.1 | 80,414 | ||
| Karen Adams (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | 1.0 | 72,639 | ||
| Sherry A. Wells (G) | 0.8 | 61,493 | ||
| Douglas Levesque (U.S. Taxpayers Party) | 0.4 | 32,326 | ||
| Total votes: 7,251,675 | ||||
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2017
The city of Detroit, Michigan, held elections for mayor, city council, city clerk, and the Detroit Board of Police Commisisoners on November 7, 2017. A primary election was held on August 8, 2017. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 25, 2017.[3] Incumbent Willie Bell defeated Scotty Boman in the general election for District 4 on the Detroit Board of Police Commissioners.[4]
| Detroit Board of Police Commissioners, District 4 General Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Willie Bell Incumbent |
59.82% | 6,039 |
| Scotty Boman | 39.08% | 3,945 |
| Write-in votes | 1.1% | 111 |
| Total Votes | 10,095 | |
| Source: Wayne County, Michigan, "2017 November 7th General & Special General Election Official Results," November 7, 2017 | ||
2014
Boman ran on the Libertarian ticket for Lieutenant Governor of Michigan in 2014, alongside gubernatorial candidate Mary Buzuma. Boman and Buzuma faced the Republican ticket of incumbents Rick Snyder and Brian Calley, the Democratic ticket of Mark Schauer and Lisa Brown and two other minor party tickets.[5] The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
Results
| Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Rick Snyder/Brian Calley Incumbent |
50.9% | 1,607,399 | |
| Democratic | Mark Schauer/Lisa Brown | 46.9% | 1,479,057 | |
| Libertarian | Mary Buzuma/Scott Boman | 1.1% | 35,723 | |
| U.S. Taxpayers | Mark McFarlin/Richard Mendoza | 0.6% | 19,368 | |
| Green | Paul Homeniuk/Candace R. Caveny | 0.5% | 14,934 | |
| Nonpartisan | Write-in votes | 0% | 50 | |
| Total Votes | 3,156,531 | |||
| Election results via Michigan Department of State | ||||
2012
Boman ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. Senate, representing Michigan. Boman initially sought the nomination on the Republican ticket but withdrew prior to the primary.
Boman then qualified as a Libertarian candidate in the general election and lost to incumbent Debbie Stabenow.[6][7]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Debbie Stabenow Incumbent |
58.8% | 2,735,826 | |
| Republican | Pete Hoekstra | 38% | 1,767,386 | |
| Libertarian | Scotty Boman | 1.8% | 84,480 | |
| Green | Harley Mikkelson | 0.6% | 27,890 | |
| UST | Richard Matkin | 0.6% | 26,038 | |
| NLP | John Litle | 0.2% | 11,229 | |
| Total Votes | 4,652,849 | |||
| Source: Michigan Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Scott Boman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Boman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
I’m a proud Detroiter, deeply rooted in the city where I’ve lived and worked for decades. My passion for education has shaped much of my career, with over thirty years of experience as a Physics, Math, and Astronomy professor at both Wayne County Community College District and Macomb Community College. I’ve also worked as a substitute teacher, gaining insight into the challenges faced by students and teachers alike across K-12 education.
After graduating from Grosse Pointe South High School in 1980, I pursued a dual degree in Physics and Philosophy, with a minor in Mathematics, from Western Michigan University, followed by a Master’s in Physics. My journey continued with a Teaching Certificate and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Wayne State University. Along the way, I’ve earned additional certifications in areas like skydiving, SCUBA, and firearms training—always seeking to broaden my knowledge and skills.
Beyond education, I’ve been an active leader and advocate in my community. I successfully petitioned for the creation of a Community Advisory Council in Detroit’s District 4 and have served as an elected member since 2020. My passion for civic engagement has also led me to serve on the Detroit Board of Zoning Appeals as the first at-large appointee.
As a Board of Education member, I’ll work to decentralize education, promote choice, and advocate for policies that empower both students and educators.
- As a professional educator with over 25 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand the flaws in our education system. Elected twice to the Detroit District 4 Community Advisory Council, I’ve advocated for local voices. I believe Lansing’s top-down approach to education is failing. While I can’t change it overnight, I will fight for reform. I support letting parents keep the money they’d spend on public schools to choose private schools or homeschooling for their children. It's time to end state control and put education decisions back in the hands of parents.
- Over-specialization leads to extinction—and our education system is no different. We need to break free from the top-down, one-size-fits-all approach that's driving it downhill. Central control has failed. I believe parents should keep the money they'd otherwise spend on public schools to choose private schools or homeschooling for their kids. It's a step toward real freedom. In an ideal world, politicians wouldn't meddle in education at all, and families wouldn't have their money taken by the government for that purpose. Let’s empower parents, not the state.
- Over-standardization is holding us back. Let’s make schools laboratories of innovation, encouraging distance learning for all students—traditional and homeschoolers alike. Schools and families should control curriculum, not politicians. 2. Coercive funding must end. I’ll work with legislators to restore local and parental control. No one should pay for education they don’t use. 3. Safety matters. "Gun-Free Zones" attract threats. Let’s allow law-abiding citizens who can carry elsewhere to protect our schools, too. It’s time for real solutions, not empty rules.
Over-standardization is suffocating our schools. We need to turn them into true laboratories of innovation, where distance learning is embraced for all—whether traditional or homeschool students. Schools and families, not politicians, should shape the curriculum. Coercive funding must end. I will fight alongside legislators to return control to parents and local communities because no one should be forced to pay for an education they don’t use. Safety is paramount. "Gun-Free Zones" invite danger. It’s time to empower law-abiding citizens to protect our schools, just like they do elsewhere. We need real solutions, not hollow policies.
Elon Musk (Minus his misguided Republican political views). Elon Musk founded SpaceX and has brought innovation back to space travel. It is critical that humanity become multi-planetary. In spite of NASA getting astronauts to the Moon in less than a decade (1969) we have been stuck in low Earth orbit for over half a century since. But thanks to Elon Musk, the Falcon 9 has already greatly reduced the cost of space travel, by having reusable boosters. SpaceX is now developing a vehicle called "Starship", which will be 100% reusable and able to send large numbers of people to Mars.
Earth is too small for the rapidly growing human population which has caused mass extinctions by displacing wilderness and wildlife. Also, the development of a sustainable infrastructure in space is critical to protecting Earth from severe extinction level events like impacts by asteroids and comets.
He has other accomplishments, like making electric cars affordable, but his contributions to space travel will likely be the most profound. these developments may well save our species from extinction or stagnation.
Two books that perfectly complement each other are:
"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand
This novel offers a striking allegory for our times, blending philosophy with social issues. It highlights how philosophical errors can lead to societal troubles, a concept that resonates strongly with today’s challenges.
"2001: A Space Odyssey" by Arthur C. Clarke
This story envisions a future where humanity evolves beyond Earth, sparking inspiration to break free from current limitations and strive for greatness. It encourages readers to see beyond present constraints and imagine a grander, more advanced future.
Together, these books challenge us to understand the consequences of our philosophies and to aspire to limitless possibilities.
Others include "Healing Our World" by Mary Ruwart; "Freedom" by Adam Kokesh; and "Age of Reason" by Thomas Payne
Respect for natural rights is the foundation of a free society. While every individual should honor these rights, it’s even more critical for elected officials. These leaders hold powers that ordinary citizens do not, making it essential they use that authority wisely. They must protect—not infringe upon—the freedoms of their constituents. When politicians overstep, they erode the very rights they are elected to defend.
Humility is another essential trait for public office. Politicians must recognize and respect the limits of their power, as defined by key documents like the Federal and State Constitutions and city charters. These texts establish governance and set boundaries on what officials can and cannot do. Ignoring these boundaries undermines the rule of law and the legitimacy of their office. True humility means acknowledging that no one, not even those in power, is above the system that granted them authority in the first place.
Tolerance for diversity must guide elected leaders. While politicians may be chosen by a portion of the population, they should represent everyone. This requires listening to all perspectives and making decisions with the entire community in mind, not just a favored group. A diverse society thrives when people are free to make their own choices, provided those choices don’t infringe on the rights of others. Tolerance is about more than accepting differences; it’s about defending the freedom of others to live as they see fit.
Above all, a love for liberty should drive public servants. Elected officials are not rulers, but representatives of the people. They are there to serve, not control. Liberty is fragile and must be vigilantly protected. An official who truly values freedom will work tirelessly to safeguard the individual rights and autonomy of every person they represent. They will aim to limit government’s reach, ensuring it protects life, liberty, and property while allowing people to pursue their own paths in life.
In the Summer of 2019 I successfully petitioned to create the Community Advisory Council (CAC). In the process of collecting 1,570 signatures from Detroit District 4 residents, I spoke to over 3,000 people in the Summer of 2019 about it. In the process of collecting 399 valid signatures to get on the ballot I spoke to almost 1,000 people about the CAC and myself as a candidate. Since then I have distributed 3,000 post cards to household in District 4 which educate Detroiters about the CAC. This is important because the primary roll of a CAC is to improve communication between the City Council and Residents.
I was the Chair of this Community Advisory Council (CAC) for it's first year of existence (2021). So I already have experience with this office. In 2022 I was re-elected to the CAC and am serving as Secretary.
I am also the first at-large appointee to Detroit's Board of Zoning Appeals. I often need to put aside personal feelings to render fair judgements in light of pertinent laws.
Costly projects pop up that most people didn't ask for. At the same time I talk to members of the community who don't see their concerns being addressed, be it over-taxation of homes, crumbling sidewalks, missing manhole covers, or misdirected blight tickets.
To advance freedom, individual rights, free thought, and decentralization in education, the state board of education and its superintendent should focus on cutting bureaucracy, boosting local control, and supporting diverse perspectives. Here’s how:
1. Encouraging Decentralization:
* Local Control: Let districts, teachers, and parents manage curricula and resources based on local needs.
* Flexible Models: Support charter schools, magnet schools, and homeschooling to increase choice and drive innovation.
* Reduce Mandates: Recommend easing state-imposed standards to allow community-focused approaches.
2. Promoting Rights and Free Thought:
* Educational Freedom: Ensure access to private, and alternative education, and protect homeschooling rights.
* Diverse Curriculum: Advocate for curricula that promote critical thinking and diverse viewpoints, allowing students to explore ideas freely.
* Free Speech: Support policies that safeguard free expression in schools, fostering debate and intellectual growth.
3. Enhancing Leadership:
* Liberty-Minded Superintendent: Appoint a superintendent committed to decentralization and innovation.
* Funding Autonomy: Recommend funding models that give districts control over finances to address local needs.
4. Supporting Lifelong Learning:
* Flexible Programs: Develop adaptable adult education options like online learning and vocational training.
* Ongoing Education: Advocate for policies that make lifelong learning accessible and flexible.
5. Advising the Legislature:
* Fair Funding: Support models that let schools allocate resources based on local priorities.
* Diverse Voluntary Funding: Encourage funding for all educational models to ensure families can choose the best fit.
By decentralizing control and empowering communities, the board can create a system that values rights, free thought, and innovation.
Inspire a culture of liberty and tolerance. Inspire people to organize locally with less intervention from and dependence on large central government. A more peaceful, prosperous and less crowded world.
Robert Kennedy's Funeral (Sr.). I was about six years old.
East-side Drive-In cleanup. One year. I think I was 13.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The story is a close allegory to the present. It puts philosophy into a social context. The philosophical fallacies that lead to the social problems in the story, are ubiquitous in the modern day, with similarly tragic results.
David Bowman in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
"The Weapon" by Rush
Keeping up with inflation in an increasingly depressed economy. Expenses and prices always seem to be increasing well beyond salaries and wages. Clearly some people mange this quite well, it is often very difficult for me.
Another struggle is time. There never seems to be enough of it so I must constantly juggle plans to address the most urgent matters first.
It is described in Article VII Section 3 of the Michigan Constitution:
Leadership and general supervision over all public education, including adult education and instructional programs in state institutions, except as to institutions of higher education granting baccalaureate degrees, is vested in a state board of education. It shall serve as the general planning and coordinating body for all public education, including higher education, and shall advise the legislature as to the financial requirements in connection therewith.
The state board of education shall appoint a superintendent of public instruction whose term of office shall be determined by the board. He shall be the chairman of the board without the right to vote, and shall be responsible for the execution of its policies. He shall be the principal executive officer of a state department of education which shall have powers and duties provided by law.
The residents of Michigan.
Diversity thrives when families have choice and communities have control over their own education systems. Centralized control and uniform mandates create a rigid, one-size-fits-all approach that simply doesn’t work for everyone. As a state board of education, our role should be to coordinate with local institutions, helping them navigate the system while empowering them to make decisions that best suit their unique needs. The more we can delegate planning to local schools and districts, the more adaptable and effective education becomes.
When advising the legislature on funding for public education, I would advocate for directing resources in a way that gives local institutions maximum discretion over how they spend it. This flexibility allows schools to better address the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff. Additionally, I would push for tax breaks for families who don’t use public education, ensuring fairness for all taxpayers. By promoting financial flexibility and local control, we can build an education system that truly reflects the diversity of Michigan’s communities.
In the context of public education, stakeholders encompass a broad spectrum of individuals: residents whose taxes fund the system, students who receive the education, families with school-age children, as well as teachers, administrators, and support staff.
The key to strengthening these relationships lies in fostering collaboration at the local level, where genuine needs and concerns are best understood. Parent-Teacher organizations provide a vital platform for families to express their concerns directly to the state board, while teacher unions serve as a voice for educators. Similarly, other stakeholders can organize to amplify their perspectives and needs.
Beyond direct stakeholders, it's essential to engage the broader community—those who fund public education but may not receive direct benefits. I would actively seek their input on how they can be fairly considered within this framework, ensuring that their contributions are acknowledged. Additionally, the community can play a voluntary role in improving literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) competence in Michigan, offering fresh insights and potential partnerships for the betterment of education. By encouraging these dialogues, we create a more inclusive, responsive educational ecosystem that serves everyone.
True teaching awakens the inner potential of the student, guiding one to become a self-learner. The retention of core concepts has its place, but education is not a matter of burdening the mind with endless trivia. Good teaching draws the soul into the light of its own capacity to think, to reason, and to ask the world profound questions. It is not about dictating what to think, but about showing how to think. When a teacher succeeds in this, the whole world becomes the student's teacher, and one begins to see one's formal lessons as keys to unlock deeper inquiries into life.
The tools we use to evaluate learning should reflect the spirit of the teaching, not impose rigid frameworks. Institutions must develop their own evaluative instruments based on the particular needs and approaches of their students. State-mandated standardized tests are not only misguided but stifle innovation, especially when they impose a one-size-fits-all curriculum.
I once attempted to apply a creative approach to teaching mathematics in a middle school with a strong focus on the arts. I began by linking geometry with art, guiding students toward an applied understanding of geometric forms. Historically, geometry blossomed in human understanding long before algebra. My plan was to introduce algebra through the analytical study of geometry and its connections to music and sound. Yet, the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) dictated that students demonstrate algebraic skills before exploring geometry. This rigid, unnatural sequence sabotaged my approach, halting a process that could have deeply engaged students in mathematical concepts through art.
If we are to foster true learning, the state's role should be to clear the path, allowing educators the freedom to innovate. The best way to support advanced teaching is, quite simply, to step aside.
Curricula should naturally adapt to areas with a demand for skilled individuals, much like the free market responds to needs. Education should reflect the diversity of human potential, allowing students to pursue paths that best fit their talents and interests. The essence of a thriving system is its ability to provide a wide array of opportunities.
While college is a great path for many, it’s not the only one. Trade schools, often viewed as less prestigious than traditional colleges, offer many students a more direct route to success. Certificates in skilled trades frequently lead to financial stability and fulfillment, sometimes even more so than traditional degrees. Education should empower students to excel in fields they love, rather than pushing them into predefined molds. Greater choice is the key to a richer, more effective system.
The focus on the "Three Rs" – while important, should not overshadow the significance of the arts. Art nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence. It should be treated as essential, not secondary, in the curriculum. The arts provide a vital means of expression and should be celebrated as integral to human development.
One area where schools are especially deficient is in teaching philosophy. Philosophy encourages deep thinking, ethical reasoning, and a pursuit of truth. Sadly, governmental involvement in education often stifles the free thought necessary to teach philosophy effectively. However, philosophical thinking is inherent in all learning. Even when not explicitly taught, it guides students in understanding how to think critically, discern truth, and engage with the world meaningfully.
Ultimately, education should be as diverse as the students it serves, providing them with the freedom to pursue what they love while preparing them for success in the world. The state’s role should be to create space for this diversity, not impose rigid paths.
Government funding through taxation is a form of aggression, where money is taken from individuals through force or threat of force. This is fundamentally wrong. Ideally, funding for public services, including education, should be voluntary, not forced. While we may not be able to eliminate taxes right away, I would encourage legislators to explore alternative, voluntary funding sources.
Some examples already exist—such as the Michigan Lottery, which contributes over a billion dollars to public education each year. Expanding on this model could help reduce the tax burden. Another key solution would be to allow families who choose alternative education options, like private schools or homeschooling, to keep more of their income instead of having it taxed for services they don't use. This shift would make it easier for private schools to thrive without heavy state intervention and ensure that funding aligns more with personal choice and freedom.
Protecting lives while respecting fundamental rights is crucial. Though statistically rare, mass school shootings dominate public discourse due to the horrifying nature of these tragedies. "Gun-free" zones were introduced with the intent of protecting children, but in practice, they have had the opposite effect.
The reality is that most mass shootings occur in so-called "gun-free" zones. The Crime Prevention Research Center found that between 1998 and 2015, 96.2% of mass shootings took place in these zones. When viewed over a longer period, the trend is even more pronounced: from 1950 to 2015, 98.4% of mass shootings occurred in gun-free areas. Federal laws, enacted in the 1990s, began designating schools as gun-free zones despite evidence suggesting this might increase vulnerability rather than enhance safety.
I would collaborate with state legislators to reform laws and remove schools from the list of prohibited locations for Concealed Pistol License (CPL) holders. This would give responsible, law-abiding citizens the ability to protect students in these spaces. However, as a firm supporter of institutional autonomy, I believe educational institutions should retain the right to set their own gun policies, allowing them to decide whether to prohibit or limit firearms on their premises.
While schools are not hospitals, they play an important role in supporting mental health. There are several critical ways schools can help.
First, schools must avoid practices that can harm students' mental well-being. A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights that many public schools start too early, especially for teenagers, who are left sleep-deprived and at increased risk for both physical and mental health issues. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends school start times no earlier than 8:30 AM. These early schedules clash with the natural adolescent biological clock. While I believe in institutional autonomy, parents should be informed that early start times may pose risks to their children’s mental health.
Additionally, teachers and administrators should be trained to recognize signs of mental illness, enabling them to refer students and staff to mental health professionals when necessary. Students with special challenges should have access to paraprofessionals and support staff to address their needs, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Finally, schools should have at least one mental health professional available to assist security personnel in deescalating situations where law enforcement or security officers may be involved. This ensures that potential conflicts are handled with the care and expertise needed to protect students' mental well-being.
Politicians and diapers have one thing in common: they should both be changed regularly… and for the same reason.
I have identified several in this questionnaire. This includes:
1. Encouraging Local Control: Let districts, teachers, and parents manage curricula and resources based on local needs.
2. Adopt Flexible Models: Support charter schools, magnet schools. private schools, and homeschooling to increase choice and drive innovation.
3. Reduce Mandates: Recommend easing state-imposed standards to allow community-focused approaches.
4. Promoting Educational Freedom: Ensure access to private, and alternative education, and protect homeschooling rights.
5. Diversify Curriculum: Advocate for curricula that promote critical thinking and diverse viewpoints, allowing students to explore ideas freely.
6. Protect Free Speech: Support policies that safeguard free expression in schools, fostering debate and intellectual growth.
7. Appoint a Liberty-Minded Superintendent: One who is committed to decentralization and innovation.
8. Move Toward Funding Autonomy: Recommend funding models that give districts control over finances to address local needs.
9. Supporting Flexible Programs: Develop adaptable adult education options like online learning and vocational training.
10. Encourage Ongoing Education: Advocate for policies that make lifelong learning accessible and flexible.
11. Advise the Legislature to Support Fair Funding: Support models that let schools allocate resources based on local priorities.
12. Advise the Legislature to Support Diverse Voluntary Funding: Encourage voluntary funding for all educational models to ensure families can choose the best fit.
13. End State Mandated Standardized Tests: The tools we use to evaluate learning should reflect the spirit of the teaching, not impose rigid frameworks. Institutions must develop their own evaluative instruments based on the particular needs and approaches of their students. State-mandated standardized tests are
The Libertarian Radical Caucus.
Imagine a place where free, unfettered intellectual discourse thrives, a sanctuary for the soul's awakening to the vast realm of ideas. Here, students are not merely passive recipients of information, but active seekers of truth, journeying toward independent thought. In an age shadowed by disinformation and the growing grip of censorship by authoritarian forces, the cultivation of truth-seeking and a deep tolerance for diverse perspectives becomes a sacred necessity.
True truth-seeking cannot flourish under the weight of dogma. Rather, it arises when all is open to inquiry, where logic and evidence serve as guiding lights for discerning fact and understanding how to navigate toward desired outcomes. In this space, students should not only learn to think, but to participate in respectful, enlightened dialogue—where discussion fosters illumination, not discord.
Moreover, this environment must nurture creativity. Students should feel encouraged to bring forth their inner artistic expression, whether through creative works or the performance arts, using these methods to embody and communicate profound ideas.
This vision I hold is an ideal, yet I understand it may not resonate with all. That is why a diversity of educational pathways must be available, so each individual may find a place that resonates with their inner nature and aspirations. Such freedom of choice is essential for the flourishing of human potential.
The School Board had limited options because it is subordinate to other branches of state government. So let's focus on how the state of Michigan handled it—and one word comes to mind: "tyranny."
The presence of a disease, no matter how serious, is never an excuse for instituting a de facto dictatorship, benevolent or not. While policies should aim to minimize risk, they must also respect people's right to decide which risks they are willing to take for themselves and their families.
Regarding schools, ending face-to-face classes in the spring of 2020 wasn’t the only solution, nor was it the best. A range of safe options would have been far better. While virtual classes worked for many, alternatives like those adopted by the Detroit Waldorf School (a private institution) could have been considered. Their students met outside in open-air shelters, with only roofs for protection from precipitation and no walls. This allowed them to space out, maintain safety, and still receive in-person instruction, adjusting to the weather as needed.
On the positive side, the state did not mandate COVID vaccines, which was a welcome sign of respect for medical freedom at a time when taking that control away would have seemed easy. There's something to be said for maintaining individual choice in the face of widespread fear.
Parent-Teacher organizations serve as a crucial channel for families to share their concerns with the state board, but we must also remain open to hearing from individual parents. While it’s impossible to hear from every single one, this is why parental choice is so important. When students are young and parents are making most of their decisions, families need options that reflect their values and priorities.
At the same time, we must recognize that not all students rely on parental guidance—some make their own decisions, and others are parents themselves. Flexibility at the state level is key to supporting innovative approaches, like those once used at Catherine Ferguson Academy, which tailored education to the needs of young parents.
Moreover, families who choose homeschooling or private education should not face bureaucratic obstacles. They place no demand on the public system, so they deserve the freedom to educate their children as they see fit, along with tax breaks that reflect their reduced reliance on public resources. A truly responsive education system must accommodate all of these diverse needs, ensuring that every family has the opportunity to pursue the best path for their children.
Faculty, staff, and administrators operate at the institutional level, where the responsibility for recruitment primarily resides. However, the state can play a supportive role by facilitating connections between educational institutions and established employment networks, such as Michigan Talent Connect and Michigan Works. By leveraging these platforms, institutions can streamline their recruitment processes and access a broader pool of qualified candidates, enhancing their capacity to attract top talent. This collaborative approach allows the state to assist in optimizing hiring efforts while respecting the autonomy of individual institutions.
Financial transparency is crucial for maintaining public trust. Officials are entrusted with taxpayer money to act as responsible stewards, and while it's regrettable that taxpayers are compelled to fund public services, it's vital that every penny is accounted for.
Those in positions of significant power must also be held to exceptional standards of accountability. Their decisions impact not just finances but also the lives, health, safety, and freedoms of the people they serve. Transparency isn't just about numbers—it's about ensuring that those with great authority are fully answerable to the public they serve.
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Other survey responses
Ballotpedia identified the following surveys, interviews, and questionnaires Boman completed for other organizations. If you are aware of a link that should be added, email us.
2022
Scott Boman completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Boman's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I served as the first Chairperson of the District 4 CAC in 2021 after petitioning to create it in 2019. I was born on the East side, and have been a Detroit resident for most of my life. I have been a life-long resident of Michigan.
I have been an educator for over 30 years. I am a physics and math professor at Wayne County Community College District, and an astronomy and physics professor at Macomb Community College. I also substitute teach in a few local school districts.
I received my B.S. from Western Michigan University in 1985, with a double major in Physics and Philosophy and a minor in Mathematics. I earned an M.A. in Physics from Western two years later, and an M.A.T. from Wayne State University in 1999.
I was a candidate for Police Commissioner in 2017 and 2021, as well as for City Clerk in 2013. In 1996 I ran for the City Council and was endorsed by the Detroit News.
I’m a current member, and former Vice President, of the MEC neighborhood patrol. Also I’m a member of the MorningSide Community organization, and was elected as an at large officer from 2013 to 2019.
- More accessible and responsive government: Individuals are entitled to more control over their own lives. This is why I collected 1,570 signatures from District 4 residents to create this Community Advisory Council. The more local an organization, the more accessible it is to individuals, and the stronger one person’s voice can be. The CAC must become a bridge, not a wall, between the residents and their government.
- Water problems are an on-going source of misery for many District 4 residents. They now spend as much for water in a month as they used to in a year. Meanwhile, residents are plagued by sewage flooded streets and basements.
- Improve safety & security: This includes fighting crimes perpetrated by private individuals. It also includes ending violence and theft by Detroit’s government such as the promotion of abusive police officers, and the over-taxation of home-owners.
As a Community Advisory Council member my focus will be hearing from residents and bringing their concerns be fore the City Council. I will also be meeting with the mayor at least once per year. In the other direction, I will be getting the word out to District 4 residents about matters before the City Council that most directly affect them.
Most policy issues will be driven by the community. However, I have policy issues that I am exceptionally passionate about. I am especially committed to reforming policing by educating residents on the nature of civilian oversight by the Board of Police Commissioners. Many commissioners have failed to exercise their oversight powers, and public safety has suffered, as a result. This is why I formed Detroit Residents Advancing Civilian Oversight (DRACO).
It isn't part of the state government or legal system. It is part of the Detroit City Government.
Community Advisory Councils (CAC's) are the only elected bodies, in Detroit, that are created by petition. They are the only elected bodies, in Detroit, that don't take a dime of taxpayers money. They are the only elected bodies with voting members who are under 18 years old.
CAC's are designed to improve resident's access to city government. Specifically CAC's hear from constituents then voice those concerns to the Detroit City Council. The City Council representative is also supposed to consult with the CAC's before moving forward with votes on matters that effect the district the CAC represents.
I am the person who petitioned to create the CAC in Detroit District 4.
Elon Musk. Elon Musk founded SpaceX and has brought innovation back to space travel. It is critical that humanity become multi-planetary. In spite of NASA getting astronauts to the Moon in less than a decade (1969) we have been stuck in low Earth orbit for over half a century since. But thanks to Elon Musk, the Falcon 9 has already greatly reduced the cost of space travel, by having reusable boosters. SpaceX is now developing a vehicle called "Starship", which will be 100% reusable and able to send large numbers of people to Mars.
Earth is too small for the rapidly growing human population which has caused mass extinctions by displacing wilderness and wildlife. Also, the development of a sustainable infrastructure in space is critical to protecting Earth from severe extinction level events like impacts by asteroids and comets.
He has other accomplishments, like making electric cars affordable, but his contributions to space travel will likely be the most profound. these developments may well save our species from extinction or stagnation.
"Healing Our World" by Mary Ruwart.
"Atlas Shrugged" by Ayn Rand
"Freedom" Adam Kokesh.
"Age of Reason" Thomas Payne
Respect for the natural rights of all people. This is an important principal; for anyone to live by, but elected officials often have powers that constituents don't. So it is even more important for the politicians (who may have the power to abuse), to respect people's rights so they don't abuse their power.
Humility. Elected officials need to know the limitations of their office and respect those limits. Formative documents like the Federal Constitution, State Constitution, and the City Charter (in the case of municipal offices) create political offices, and those offices wouldn't exist without those documents, so the powers enumerated in those documents should also be adhered to strictly.
Tolerance for diversity. Even though only a portion of constituents vote for an officeholder, that person represents all constituents and needs to show respect for all constituents, and tolerate their choices so long as they respect the natural rights of others.
A love for liberty. Elected officials are public servants, not masters. They should focus on helping constituents without acting on the temptation to unnecessarily control other people. A person who loves liberty will seek to secure and enhance the freedoms of ones constituents.
In the Summer of 2019 I successfully petitioned to create the Community Advisory Council (CAC). In the process of collecting 1,570 signatures from Detroit District 4 residents, I spoke to over 3,000 people in the Summer of 2019 about it. In the process of collecting 399 valid signatures to get on the ballot I spoke to almost 1,000 people about the CAC and myself as a candidate. Since then I have distributed 3,000 post cards to household in District 4 which educate Detroiters about the CAC. This is important because the primary roll of a CAC is to improve communication between the City Council and Residents.
I was the Chair of this Community advisory Council for it's first year of existence (2021). So I already have experience with this office.
Costly projects pop up that most people didn't ask for. At the same time I talk to members of the community who don't see their concerns being addressed, be it over-taxation of homes, crumbling sidewalks, missing manhole covers, or misdirected blight tickets.
Improve resident access to government.
Enhance communication between residents and their City Council.
Help residents navigate their city government.
Inspire a culture of liberty and tolerance. Inspire people to organize locally with less intervention from and dependence on large central government. A more peaceful, prosperous and less crowded world.
Robert Kennedy's Funeral. Six years old.
East-side Drive-In cleanup. One year.
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
The story is a close allegory to the present. It puts philosophy into a social context. The philosophical fallacies that lead to the social problems in the story, are ubiquitous in the modern day, with similarly tragic results.
David Bowman in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
"The Weapon" by Rush
Keeping up with inflation in an increasingly depressed economy. Expenses and prices always seem to be increasing well beyond salaries and wages. Clearly some people mange this quite well, it is often very difficult for me.
Another struggle is time. There never seems to be enough of it so I must constantly juggle plans to address the most urgent matters first.
Yes. The City Council representative is also supposed to consult with the CAC's before moving forward with votes on matters that effect the district the CAC represents. The City Council needs to modify it's procedures so that CAC's have a chance to get resident input on such matters before they are voted on. Currently Council-members are faced with agenda items they must vote on at the same meeting instead of having an automatic postponement on items that specifically effect districts that have CAC's.
Somewhat, since they can already advise residents on navigating the system. However it is more important that CAC members have close ties to the community and are willing to be accessible to all residents. This office is fundamentally interactive. Members must proactively reach out to residents and ask them about their concerns. They must be eager to share those concerns with their City Council representative as well as other people in Detroit's government.
Listening skills, speaking skills, patience, courage, empathy, and being organized. One must have the courage to go anywhere in the City and speak with anyone. One must listen to people and have the empathy to truly understand their concerns. One must be organized enough to follow up with the person about those concerns.
Politicians and diapers have one thing in common: they should both be changed regularly… and for the same reason.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2021
Scott Boman did not complete Ballotpedia's 2021 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Michigan State Board of Education |
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Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 26, 2022
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 20, 2024
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan announces re-election bid," February 4, 2017
- ↑ Wayne County Clerk, "2017 General Election Candidate Listing," accessed November 3, 2017
- ↑ Michigan Department of State, "2014 Official Michigan General Candidate Listing," accessed October 27, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Michigan"
- ↑ Unofficial General election candidate list
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