I’m Kelly Hamilton, a proud mom of three children in the Waterford School District, a lifelong Waterford resident, Realtor, and small business professional who has spent years serving local families and bringing people together through community events.
I’m running for the Waterford Board of Education because I care deeply about this district and believe our schools are strongest when parents, teachers, staff, students, and the community feel heard and respected.
I don’t believe a board member should come to the table assuming they already have every answer. I believe good leadership means listening, asking thoughtful questions, understanding the facts, and being willing to have honest conversations when something isn’t working. For years, I’ve served Waterford by bringing people together, listening to families, solving problems, and finding ways to give back. Running for the Board feels like a natural extension of that commitment.
Teacher and School Board Collaboration: Teachers and staff are the ones living this work every day. I want them to know their experience matters, their perspective is valued, and their voices are part of the conversations that shape our schools. I want the board and our educators to always remember that they are working towards the same goal; to help our Waterford students succeed.
Parent and Teacher Collaboration: Parents have every right to be frustrated, but real change happens when that frustration turns into involvement. I want families to bring their concerns off social media and into the room-ask questions, share ideas, show up, and help shape the decisions that affect their kids
Resources and Student Support/ and staff are being asked to meet a wider range of student needs than ever before. That includes academic challenges, behavior, mental health, special education, and everything in between. If we expect educators to give students their best, we also need t
I am a former Riverside Racer, Della Lutes Eagle, Pierce Pirate, and Kettering Captain. I attended Western Michigan University before earning my PhD from Wayne State University. I am a faculty member and program director at Michigan State University. My twin sons attend Waterford Mott High School, where they play in the orchestra and soccer program. My wife is a longtime district employee.
I was appointed to the WSD Board of Education in 2019 and elected to a six-year term in 2020. I have served on the Hess-Hathaway Park Advisory Board, the Drayton Plains Nature Center Advisory Board, and the Head Start Parent Advisory Board at Stepanski. I also coach for Liverpool Football Club.
I am committed to ensuring that the Waterford School District is a healthy, dynamic, and engaged institution that supports the success of our students and families. I understand that board service is about constructing shared goals and ensuring an environment where all stakeholders work towards those goals.
Above all, our focus should be on providing an exceptional educational experience for WSD students and their families. This means ensuring our students have access to engaging and challenging curricula, ample opportunities to explore futures beyond K-12, and successful athletics and arts programs. Drawing on the district’s newly-adopted strategic plan, I will see to it that we continue our investment in curricular materials and high-impact teaching practices while also providing and supporting meaningful extra and co-curricular opportunities in both the arts and athletics. I will also work with administration to ensure we communicate those opportunities clearly and in a timely manner so that our students can take advantage of all that we offer in the Waterford School District. Certainly, we need to make sure that we continue to attract, develop, and retain exceptional teachers and staff. We have a lot of positive momentum in WSD, and I am eager to keep us moving in the right direction.
My name is Tyler Soncrainte. I’m a 26-year-old lifelong resident and Waterford School District graduate. I’m running because I believe our community needs new perspectives, fresh ideas, and leadership focused on building a sustainable future.
Waterford is changing. Our township’s senior population is projected to reach 60% by 2030, while our school district has lost an average of 150 students each year for more than two decades. Too often, great teachers also leave for other districts.
We cannot afford to accept the status quo. Young families, first-time homeowners, and my generation deserve a stronger voice in the decisions shaping Waterford’s future.
As a small business owner, nonprofit employee, and having experience in education, along with completing nationally recognized political leadership trainings, I bring practical experience and a commitment to responsible, effective leadership.
I’m running to bring a fresh perspective and help build a stronger future for Waterford.
Three priority issues facing Waterford are staff and student retention, declining funding, and insufficient resources to meet student needs.
We must retain quality teachers and staff while maintaining an environment where families want their children to learn. I would support efforts to make Waterford a competitive district for educators, increase professional development opportunities, and create stronger communication between staff, administration, and the board.
Declining state funding requires responsible budgeting and careful prioritization. I would prioritize classroom instruction and student services while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly.
Finally, I would work with educators, administrators, parents, and community partners to identify gaps in academic, special education, and mental health resources and pursue additional funding opportunities. Every student and staff member deserves the support needed to succeed.
I am seeking re-election to the Waterford School District Board of Education to continue the positive work we have been doing over the past six years. As a board, we have been able to accomplish several goals to better serve our students, families, and staff. Together we have made significant investments in our curriculum, increased academic opportunities, and expanded extra-curricular activities and we have seen the positive impact of these investments on the academic growth of our students. A fierce advocate of public education, I believe strongly in collaborating with all our stakeholders to create exceptional educational experiences for the students we serve and I am excited to do this through our updated strategic plan with our administration, community, and staff. I am a proud parent of a WSD student and two WSD graduates, and I myself graduated from Waterford Mott High School. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts.
#1 - Funding. I will continue to advocate at the state and federal level for adequate and equitable funding for all public school districts so we can meet the growing needs of our students and prepare them for successful futures. I will continue to push for the need to change our funding models. #2 - Recruiting and retaining teachers and support staff. Funding is a critical piece of this, but we also need to support initiatives that create opportunities to continue our staff's own career growth. In Waterford one way we have been able to do this is through the “Grow Your Own” grants and I will continue to support the district in seeking out these opportunities. #3 – Creating positive learning environments where our students can thrive. I will continue to support investing in the needs of our students, making sure they have the tools needed to successfully meet their academic goals and provide them with opportunities to grow and learn.
