As an incumbent serving the ELPS district since 2022, I have gained valuable insight from real experience. I've held the secretary and vice president roles, while also serving on the facilities, policy, and personnel committees. In addition to BOE service, I've been volunteering within ELPS since 2013.
We write policy, maintain connections within the community, hire and work directly with the superintendent, hold administration accountable, and approve budgets.
My main priority is to always put the students and staff at the heart of everything. I want to continue to enforce relationship building at every level. I want to always be prepared to do what is right by protecting public education.
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/share/1L4Zx3fYvW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Education
BA, Grand Valley State University, MA & PHD, Ohio State University
I am an educator and administrator who has experience in collaborative policymaking and executing budget strategy while serving a diverse group of students and staff. I am a professor of History and Chicano/Latino Studies and I’ve directed a program that worked to connect faculty across disciplines and to our local community stakeholders. Later as an associate dean, I worked collaboratively to create policies that impacted both students and faculty. I am particularly proud of the work I did in that role to work with East Lansing High School to host the Multicultural Student Achievement Network visit in 2024. More recently, I helped to administer a values-based budget reduction process. I also have experience with large state departments as an appointee to the Michigan Historical Commission since 2018. Prior to graduate school, I worked at a PK-8 dual immersion school in Grand Rapids. Lastly, I’m a parent to a 2nd grader at Glencairn Elementary.
School boards are collaborators and connectors. As they oversee general operations and strategic vision for the district, they do so in concert with parents, students, staff, and community stakeholders. They work together with those entities to creatively problem solve and chart sustainable futures alongside the district leadership. Boards should be responsive to the needs of their constituents, while also acting as conduits to other community partners.
I would like the district to continue investing in safety and well-being for students and staff. Infrastructure is crucial to keeping students and staff physically safe. Ensuring sound protocols for using the infrastructure adds to its effectiveness. Other measures, like the health center, create an additional layer of support for students and staff that help address students' holistic well-being. Lastly, reducing teacher and administrative turnover should also be considered an investment in student well-being. Staff and leadership continuity can increase our ability to identify students with less visible needs.
Education
BS in Geography from Ohio University, Master's in City and Regional Planning from Ohio State U.
My adult life has been centered on helping create the best places possible for people to live. I have worked in local government my entire career, serving communities along the I-96 Corridor, including East Lansing for seven years. I've served on non profit boards, including Michigan Energy Options, the Lansing Parks Foundation, and Lansing 5:01. I was a founding member of Underground of Good, a local philanthropy group. And now I'm coaching 2nd/3rd Grade Girl's Soccer. I truly try to give my time and effort where it can help the broader community. This has given me a strong background in local issues and how to support the community, something I want to bring to the East Lansing Public Schools.
The role of the school board should be one of policy direction, supporting and directing the overall organization towards the best path for the entire community. The Board has to make the hard decisions when they come up and let the Superintendent and Staff throughout the district implement the decisions and policies. And the guiding light for those decisions and policies should always be what's best for the students and teachers, which are the heart of everything the School District does.
One of the things I talk about with my staff is trying to "look around the corner" and plan for the future, while still being able to address current issues. On the School Board, I want to help future proof the district as best we can, knowing the State funding can be unstable at times. What can we do now to protect our future? What do we absolutely need to do now to keep East Lansing as one of the best districts in the State? How can we support our teachers to allow them to do the best job they can with our most important resource, our kids? So one of my main priorities would be to work on financial and capital planning to make sure that future Boards have the resources they need to keep the district at the quality it should be.
Facebook page
/vote4abbietykocki
Education
Columbia College Masters of Arts, Entertainment & Media Management, MSU BA in Theatre
I bring a combination of education, nonprofit management, civic leadership, and community experience to her role as a school board member. I have worked as an educator, spent more than 20 years in performing-arts administration with experience in budgeting, operations, grants, and community engagement, and I served in local leadership roles including the Pinecrest Neighborhood Association, East Lansing Arts Commission, East Lansing Housing Commission and Lansing Regional SmartZone. I am also a parent in the district, and am a volunteer crisis advocate with MSU’s Center for Survivors. Since my election in 2024, I have gained direct school-board governance experience through ELPS committees and Michigan Association of School Boards training, most recently completing the Finance Certification.
Putting students first while working collaboratively to provide effective oversight of the district. A board member must prioritize fiscal stewardship, student mental health and safety, strong relationships with local government and community partners, and thoughtful governance. In practice, that means helping set policy and budgets, overseeing the superintendent and district operations, advocating for the schools, and listening to and representing the broader school community.
Protecting students and supporting teachers while maintaining an inclusive, high-quality learning environment for all ELPS students.
Student mental health and school safety, including expanded counseling and support including Youth Mental Health First Aid.
Strong fiscal stewardship, including careful budgeting and oversight of district finances and bond-funded projects.
Preparing students and educators for the significant curricular and cultural shift of integrating AI into education.
Stronger connections between schools and the surrounding community, including partnerships with local organizations and institutions.
Safe, welcoming, and inclusive schools.
Education
Master’s of Public Administration
Campaign Phone
2489823338
My professional and academic experiences have prepared me to approach school board service with an understanding of public service, policy, and community needs. Through my work with the American Red Cross, I have developed experience communicating with diverse communities, building trust, and connecting public programs with the people they serve. My graduate studies in public administration have strengthened my understanding of public policy, organizational decision-making, and responsible government. These experiences have taught me to listen to different perspectives, examine evidence, and balance competing priorities. I would bring that perspective to the board while continuing to learn about the specific needs and challenges of East Lansing Public Schools. I am also a parent to a first grader in the district and I have another student starting kindergarten next year.
I see the school board's role as providing responsible governance, setting policy and long-term direction, overseeing district resources, and holding the administration accountable for serving students and the community. Board members should not manage the day-to-day operations of schools; instead, they should work collaboratively with the superintendent, ask thoughtful questions, evaluate outcomes, and make informed decisions. The board also has a responsibility to listen to students, families, educators, and community members and communicate decisions transparently. Ultimately, the board should help create the conditions for educators to succeed and ensure that students have the opportunity to thrive.
My priorities would be student achievement and well-being, supporting educators and staff, responsible stewardship of district resources, and meaningful community engagement. I would want to understand where students are succeeding and where barriers to learning remain, using both data and community input to guide decisions. I would prioritize recruiting, retaining, and supporting excellent educators and staff. I would also approach district finances with care, ensuring resources are used responsibly and investments reflect student needs. Finally, I would make listening and transparency priorities so students, families, educators, and community members know their voices are heard and considered in district decision-making.
