As a Haslett school board trustee, Travis Stoliker announced a personal initiative to donate $3,000 to a standout staff member through a community nomination and voting process. He emphasized from the outset that the donation was entirely personal and separate from his board role — confirmed as compliant with district policies after a legal review.
Despite the charitable intent, the plan sparked significant community backlash. Critics called it "a popularity contest," raised concerns about favoritism, and suggested the money should be routed through the Haslett Education Foundation instead. Some felt the approach was simply inappropriate for a sitting board member, regardless of it being personal rather than official.
Stoliker modified the process in response to the criticism, making the nomination process private rather than public. However, critics remained unsatisfied. In a candid post on his Year of the Opposite Substack, Stoliker reflected on the episode — questioning whether to proceed with the donation or even whether to resign from the board entirely, and asking aloud why civic participation is so difficult when the intentions are purely to do good.
Many community members rallied to Stoliker's defense, calling his generosity honorable and encouraging him to proceed. The episode illustrates the challenges volunteers face when attempting civic service — and Travis's willingness to publicly share the messy reality of community leadership rather than projecting a polished image.