Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590679282380
Education
Ph.D.
Campaign Phone
313-403-7225
My lived experience and positionality afford me a deep, familial understanding of the needs of students and families as well as educators. As an educator at Michigan State University with a background in inclusive pedagogy for marginalized identities, I champion evidence based pedagogy and have a firm grasp on local and national challenges facing public education. I also have some local experience in governance from my years-long service on my neighborhood association board. I have been a deeply engaged district parent since 2019, serving on the Lansing School District Board of Education’s Equity Advisory Committee in 2023-2024. Thanks to that close look at the inner workings of board policy conversations around equity, I have been able to steer continued equity conversations as the director of the Lansing Empowerment Network’s Cradle to Career collaborative, ”a community-driven initiative focused on helping young people succeed from early childhood through adulthood.”
My view of the role of a school board is a combination of aspirational and traditional. I’m pragmatic, and I recognize that the board must engage as responsible stewards in important if mundane functions that support district operations (e.g., setting a budget). At the same time, I am social justice and equity focused in all things. I would like to see the school board set an ambitious vision for our youth that the community can believe in and be proud of. I want to help our board boldly create policies that reflect community values, diligently pursue equity for our most marginalized, set our sights on evidence based practices at all levels of district operations, and open wide our gates for all manner of family engagement. A school board is uniquely positioned to champion community voices–including students, families, educators, and administrators–and unify them in shared purpose.
I want to help rebuild trust in our community, refocus on equity, and treat compliant accessibility as the floor, not the ceiling. I’m an alumna of the Lansing School District, a parent in the district, spouse of a district educator, and also a civically engaged community member serving as the director of an education-focused branch of a local nonprofit organization. I can see, from the perspectives of those deep connections to my district, the ways families, educators, and administrators already attend to trust, equity and access–and the many opportunities still available to lift up that essential work. Communication must come early and often. Data collection and sharing must be transparent and accessible. Equity must be enacted at all levels, with conscientious and consistent follow-through and clear mechanisms for accountability. Good faith access and inclusion goals must drive engagement and outreach efforts to build and sustain a genuine sense of belonging for LSD families.
Facebook page
Heidi Frei for Lansing Schools
Education
B.S. Forestry (MSU), M.S. Forestry emphasis on Latin American and Caribbean Studies (MSU)
Campaign Phone
5174205200
I bring over 20 years of experience from career public service in strategic leadership, budgeting and mentoring plus board service experience. I have background as an educator at MSU, as an ESL teacher, and certified in environmental education curriculum and am uniquely positioned to support education while managing the direction of our School District.
With a B.S and M.S. plus training and expertise in trades, sustainability, engineering and science, I am an asset to our District as we prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow. Having been recognized and spoken internationally for contribution of women and diversity in my field, I will add a diverse and needed perspective.
I’ve worked collaboratively with neighborhood associations and local leaders to improve student safety and promote our students and programs. As a District parent and volunteer, I am invested in improving education. I will continue my demonstrated commitment to athletics/enrichment through partnerships.
The role of the school board is to provide free, safe and quality public education equally for students within the Lansing School District. This includes working as a team to hire, evaluate and support the Superintendent ensuring good communication to foster a dynamic partnership with them and their team.
The board has responsibility for oversight of the budget, facilities and contracts. This includes assuring the safety of students during and in transit to/from school activities and assuring the viability and suitability of facilities.
As a parent in the District, I am invested in excellence in our schools; my role as a board trustee will be to exceed expectations. This includes positive promotion at every opportunity and rapidly identifying gaps for quick resolution. Board members should seek strategic partnerships with community groups, local government and the private sector to enhance services and remove barriers. I’m also committed to public trust and transparency.
I know firsthand we have great teachers and I am committed to supporting them to equitably deliver education to all students. I will prioritize resources for teachers, such as instructional support, adding and protecting the positions of enrichment staff and protections for planning and prep time and improving workplace culture.
Trades and enhancing STEM education will be critical for our students to prepare for careers of tomorrow. With my background in trades and sciences, I will work to infuse these opportunities, which will attract more students to LSD.
I will also remove barriers for student access and achievement in enrichment & athletics. These are important programs to build the ‘village’ of trusted adults and community in our schools and also build confidence in students to encourage student participation in academics. I will ensure all buildings have libraries and that we retain library professionals, which I have a proud track record of successful advocacy.
Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61582026482299
Education
Master of Public Policy - University of Michigan
Campaign Phone
(517) 505-0656
I bring experience from both inside Lansing schools and inside public policy. I was born and raised on Lansing’s Eastside, attended Lansing schools from kindergarten through graduation, and graduated from Eastern in 2016 before continuing as a Lansing Promise Scholar. I later earned a Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, where I also taught undergraduate public policy students. Today, I work in the Michigan House of Representatives on legislation, public budgets, appropriations, and education funding. That experience has shown me how decisions made at the state level reach our classrooms. Just as important, I know this district personally. Lansing schools helped shape who I am, and I continue showing up in our schools and listening to educators, students, and families. We deserve board members who are integrated into the community and present beyond board meetings.
I see the school board as the community’s link to the district and as a public body that must be willing to act when something is not right. Board members should listen to students, families, educators, and residents; set clear goals; critically evaluate the superintendent; approve responsible budgets; and hold the district accountable for results. Board members need to ask hard questions, speak up when students or staff are not being treated fairly or safely, and make decisions with transparency for the public. I also want board meetings and district engagement to be easier to access, with clearer communication and more ways for families and students to participate. A board member should be visible beyond meetings and advocate for Lansing schools with the city, state, and community partners.
My priorities are safe schools, quality education, and preparing students for life after graduation. I want to strengthen mental health and social-emotional supports, bullying prevention, and restorative practices so problems are addressed before they become crises. Schools are the frontline is seeing when students are facing housing instability, food insecurity, violence, or challenges at home; that is why I want to directly work on stronger partnerships with community organizations so staff can identify those needs early and connect families to help. I will work to recruit and retain educators, protect classroom resources, and give schools flexibility to respond to student needs. I also want a direct pipeline from Lansing Tech into local unions, apprenticeships, and employers, along with stronger coordination with Lansing Promise so we can learn where graduates struggle and adjust supports earlier.
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Aurora Lemieux-McKissic For Lansing School Board
Education
Lansing Community College, Associate Degree; Northwood University, B.B.A. in Business Management
Campaign Phone
5176104350
I’m a lifelong Lansing resident and proud product of Lansing School District. I attended Pleasant View from kindergarten through seventh grade and Everett High School, where I participated in varsity cheer, National Honor Society and student government before graduating early at 16. I loved my experience in Lansing schools and the teachers and peers who shaped me. As a Lansing Promise Scholar, I was able to earn my bachelor’s degree with almost no student debt, showing me firsthand what investing in students can make possible. I was also honored as a Lansing Regional Chamber 10 Over the Next 10 award recipient and won first place in last year’s Michigan College Access Network pitch competition for my career readiness idea. My professional work in youth career preparation, economic and workforce development, entrepreneurship and community programming has continued to prepare me to serve Lansing students.
I believe the role of a school board is to provide strong governance, accountability and direction while always keeping students at the center of our decisions! Board members are responsible for setting policy, establishing priorities, overseeing the budget and holding the superintendent accountable, NOT managing the day to day operations of the district. Just as importantly, we should be a bridge between the district and the people we serve. When I was a student, I didn’t even know how or why it was important to bring my voice to the Board of Education. I want our students, families, staff and community members to know that their experiences and ideas matter. My responsibility is to listen, ask hard questions and make informed decisions that actually move our district forward.
My priorities are strengthening K-12 academic success, preparing students for life after graduation, elevating student, family and staff voices, and continuing to build trust between Lansing schools and our community. I want our students to have strong foundations in math and literacy while also having access to high quality CTE, career preparation and opportunities through programs like Lansing Tech. Success after high school can mean college, a skilled trade, industry credentials, entrepreneurship or entering a career, and our district should prepare students to pursue the path that is right for them. Ultimately, I want every Lansing student to leave our district prepared to succeed, build wealth and create the future they envision for themselves.
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