I have served on the Clarkston Community School Board for 16 years. I have earned the Presidents Award from Michigan Association of School Boards for my work in Advocating for Public Schools and student success, attending conferences and completing Board certification classes.
I am an Educator for the Plastics Industry foundation and visit Middle and High school classrooms to make Industry and Career connections in several states and Canada. I taught private piano lessons for over 20 years. I believe learning is a life long pursuit and passionate about inspiring students to find their sucess in beyond high school.
Decling student enrollment across Michigan affects all school districts, including Clarkston. Our current board strives to attract families to live here by creating an educatonal culture of competive academics in the classroom, extra curricular activities on our campuses, tracking student growth, hiring and retaining the best educators.
Financial stability is another priority for our district. Our board maintains a fund equity balance to cover operating expenditures during the time period we wait for state aid payments. Understanding the Michigan budget cycle and planning programs that have the highest impact in student achievement is imperative to optimize student success within our given resources.
Our district is the largest employer in Clarkston. Hiring a competitive teaching staff is a priority. We strive to hire the best teachers, invest in professional development, and have a unique collaborative process with our CEA to provide fair and competitive salaries.
My name is Kristine Ferrell, and I am a Clarkston parent, community volunteer, Realtor, and graduate of Oakland University with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and a minor in Applied Leadership Skills. My husband and I have three children in Clarkston Community Schools. I am in my 7th year on the Springfield Plains Elementary PTA Board, having served as President, Vice President, and Treasurer. I also serve as Vice President of the Clarkston Foundation and Vice President of my HOA. These roles have given me experience in budgeting, policy, fundraising, governance, communication, and working with differing perspectives. I am running for School Board because I care deeply about our schools and want to give back to a community that has given so much to my family. I would bring thoughtful leadership, financial responsibility, collaboration, and a commitment to safe, strong schools where students and staff can thrive.
My top three priorities are safety and security, strong schools and student success, and supporting our staff. Safety must remain a top priority. I would support strong safety protocols, appropriate resources and personnel, and continued collaboration with law enforcement to ensure students and staff feel safe and protected every day. Strong schools require resources and opportunities that help every student reach their full potential. I would prioritize resources that directly impact classrooms and student success while being a responsible steward of district funds. Finally, our teachers and staff are the heart of our schools. I would listen to their needs, support efforts to attract and retain the best employees, and promote a culture where staff feel valued and supported.
I'm a lifelong Clarkston resident and a proud Clarkston High School graduate (1997) with a degree from the University of Michigan (2000). My wife Kelly and I are raising our two children, Stephen (11th grade) and Vivian (8th grade), in the district I've served since 2001. I'm a local business owner, leading IGD Solutions and owning Club Pilates, and I founded SASA, a nonprofit that engages students in STEM and education advocacy.
I'm running to keep putting Clarkston kids first. Across more than two decades on the board I've served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary, and I'm a past President of the Michigan Association of School Boards. That experience, with my background in business and technology, means I bring steady leadership, financial discipline, and a collaborative, student-focused approach. I know this district, its staff, and its families, and I'm ready to keep delivering results for our students.
*Deliver our bond responsibly. I'll make sure the new Clarkston Junior High and our facility improvements are completed on time and on budget, with regular, transparent updates to taxpayers.
*Student academic growth and achievement . I'll keep academics strong while supporting students' mental health, safety, and well-being, using data to guide decisions and giving teachers the resources they need.
*Fiscal responsibility and engaging parents. I'll protect taxpayers through disciplined budgeting and transparent decisions, while investing where it matters most: our students and staff. And I'll keep parents informed and involved as true partners, with open communication and accessible board meetings so every family has a voice.
Please visit my website at www.stevehyer.com to learn more about me.
I believe our schools should be safe, financially responsible, transparent, and focused on preparing every student for success. My professional career has centered on children, public safety, and building partnerships that strengthen our communities. I currently serve as the School Liaison and Juvenile Justice Division prosecutor for the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office where I work to build bridges between law enforcement, the Prosecutor’s Office, schools, families, and community partners. My work focuses on school safety, delinquency prevention, and collaboration to address challenges facing young people before they become more serious problems. I am also a former Clarkston BOE Trustee, giving me firsthand experience with the responsibilities and challenges of serving on a school board. I understand that board members must make difficult decisions that balance educational priorities, student needs, staffing, safety, & taxpayer resources. I would be honored to serve again.
School Safety/Community Partnerships: I would prioritize student and staff safety while strengthening communication and collaboration with our local township, police, fire, and emergency services. Strong partnerships and coordinated preparedness are essential to keeping our schools safe. I would emphasize prevention as protection as well as reactive plans.
Transparent, Accessible Parent Communication: Parents should be able to easily find the information they need without navigating multiple platforms. I would advocate for simplifying and consolidating communication channels, improving transparency, and making timely, relevant information easier for every family to access.
Data-Driven Financial Decision-Making: I would support responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars by using clear data, measurable outcomes, and long-term financial projections to guide budget decisions. Every investment should demonstrate value and support student success while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
