Age
48
Occupation / Current Position
Human Resources
Education
BA, Kalamazoo College. MBA, Booth School of Business, University of Chicago
Experience & Qualifications
I am the parent to three Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) students, one in middle school and two in high school. I bring over 20 years of human resources and consulting experience, including with public company board of directors. I’m well in tune with national, regional and local education issues, having been an active public school advocate in SW MI.
Campaign Mailing Address
PO Box 21 Kalamazoo, MI 49009
I believe that public schools are a critical part of our community infrastructure; our public education environments create pathways for learning that enable the future of all children. We have an incredible opportunity to build on the foundation of Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS), The Promise, KVCC, WMU, Kalamazoo College, and so many other community and education stakeholders. We can better leverage and communicate the value of this educational ecosystem as a way to attract people to the district and our community.
I bring a broad set of leadership and business experiences, that will complement those of other board members.
KPS has an incredible set of educators, staff and administrators, that are dedicated to serving our community's children. The district provides a broad set of education experiences that can meet the needs of all of our students.
In addition to maintaining a safe and productive learning environment, KPS needs to continue to focus on student outcomes; this spans grade-level milestones, graduation rates and post-graduation outcomes. The district has a very diverse student population, that has a broad set of different learning needs; we need to ensure that we meet students where they are and support them to enable their best potential futures.
As a KPS parent, I know there are already many ways for parents to be involved in their students' education -- be it through things like engagement with teachers or coaches, involvement with parent-teacher organizations or volunteering with school activities.
As a board member, I will support our superintendent in their engagement with the parental community of our school system, to ensure there are the right opportunities for communicating with and receiving input from the parents of our students. Additionally, I will enable the strengthening of community partnerships through collaboration between the district and community stakeholders.
Behavior and attendance are two key opportunity areas for KPS; we need to ensure that we have productive and safe learning and teaching environments for our students, teachers and staff. In his first year, our superintendent has established a new tone with the parental and student communities regarding behavior and attendance expectations. As a board, we need to continue to support the superintendent and his staff as they influence and change the culture of the district. This includes both internal and external facing actions, in particular creating an open and safe environment for parents and students so they can be active participants.
Age
41
Occupation / Current Position
Business Owner
Education
Masters Degree
Experience & Qualifications
I bring extensive experience in education and sales consulting, with a strong foundation in K-12 education from my work as a teacher and consultant. My career has focused on improving student outcomes and supporting educators through strategic solutions. With my background both in the classroom and entrepreneurship, I am well-equipped to contribute effectively to the school board.
Campaign Mailing Address
1104 Homecrest Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49001
I'm running for the KPS school board to ensure every student in our district receives a high-quality education that prepares them for success in life. My extensive experience in education, including my background as a teacher and education consultant, has equipped me with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within our schools.
Additionally, my background in sales and as a small business owner has strengthened my leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement skills.
I am dedicated to creating equitable opportunities for all students and have the necessary experience to advocate effectively for our district.
Our district fosters a strong sense of community and belonging among students, which is crucial for academic achievement and personal growth. The dedication of our educators and staff to individualized student support and extracurricular opportunities creates a well-rounded educational experience.
However, there is an opportunity to further enhance our district by focusing on equitable access to resources across all schools, ensuring that every KPS student, regardless of background, has the tools they need to succeed.
To increase parental and community involvement, I will support Superintendent Dr. Slade's initiative for more frequent and accessible community forums, ensuring that all voices are heard. I will also build stronger partnerships with local businesses and organizations, creating collaborative opportunities that benefit both students and the community.
Additionally, I will work to introduce volunteer programs and mentorship initiatives that encourage parents and community members to participate actively in school activities and decision-making processes, fostering a stronger sense of shared responsibility and engagement.
The most pressing safety issues include mental health challenges, emergency preparedness, and physical security within our schools. To address these concerns, the board should increase the availability of mental health resources, such as counselors and support programs, to help students manage stress and emotional well-being.
Additionally, enhancing emergency preparedness through regular drills and staff training is crucial. I also support the installation of metal detectors at middle and high school buildings to improve physical security and prevent potential threats, ensuring a safer environment for all students and staff.
Age
45
Occupation / Current Position
Permanently Disabled / Part-Time Parliamentarian
Education
B.S. in Physics and Meteorology from Pennsylvania State University (2002), M.S. (2005) and Ph.D. (2008) in Atmospheric Science from Colorado State University
Experience & Qualifications
K-20 Classroom Educator from 1998-2019. Topics included Physics, Meteorology, and several advanced courses for Meteorology majors. SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching 2015. Also, accomplished teacher professional developer and public outreach specialist for the NASA CloudSat mission and the GLOBE Program (2006-2019). Registered Parliamentarian since 2022.
Campaign Mailing Address
2616 Ferdon Road Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Campaign Twitter/X Handle
@EllisforKPS
I am running for a board seat to advocate for recruiting and supporting our educators and support staff. Serving as a long-time educator and professional developer taught me how much support, professional development, and mentorship it takes to help any educator face new challenges. I also want to serve on the board to ensure transparency in board actions. My experience on boards as president and parliamentarian will help shine more light on board actions. As a KPS Parent, I will ensure the board hears and addresses parent concerns.
Our primary strength is the talent and experience of our education and support staff, which is why it is so vital to keep them. Our partnership with Communities in Schools has helped keep students in school and provided them with needed support. The Kalamazoo Promise, providing tuition support for college or trade school, is a unique strength recognized nationally. Areas of growth for our district include school safety for all our students and the need for a policy on class sizes. For instance, my daughter attends classes with more than 30 students each. Research shows that class sizes must come down to improve learning.
Our district has several parent-teacher organizations (PTOs). I have seen first-hand the benefits of a healthy PTO for students and educators. I want to encourage and support the formation of more PTOs in our schools. As a parliamentarian, I can help them get organized. I will also begin a blog summarizing every board meeting to help parents understand what issues are facing the district and what plans are in place to deal with them. Finally, board members are supposed to lobby local and state governments. I want to strengthen the connection between our city council, state legislature, and the district.
Gun violence is currently the most essential safety issue facing our district and city. Addressing this by installing metal detectors in our schools is one approach the administration is exploring. It is a complicated approach that requires data-driven implementation. Metal detectors increase safety by making it more difficult for people to bring dangerous items to school. However, opponents say that this can create a "prison-like" environment and lead to more invasive searches that could raise Fourth Amendment challenges. With thoughtful policies in place, metal detectors in our schools may be an excellent first step in increasing safety.
Age
44
Occupation / Current Position
Entrepreneur, Founder, CFO
Education
Doctoral level education with Master's Degree in Psychology, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology/Sociology and Associate Degree in Accounting.
Experience & Qualifications
I am a mother of a KPS graduate and promise recipient who currently has a degree and owns a business at 23. I am the founder of a youth serving organization for Kalamazoo County youth I am and have been an advocate for youth - voice and leadership.
I am here in support of youth voice and community connection. As a nonprofit founder, youth have been the focus of my work and as an empowered advocate for youth it has been my honor to serve the district in keeping their voice at the table.
I believe that the connection to youth and parents within the community is my greatest strength, as it guides the decision making in the best interest of every youth. I also believe that many of the traits that exist in successful business management also exist for board members which include understanding financial statements and people management
The people of our community represent the most positive characteristic of the district. Their commitment to better, for themselves and for others, is evident in the level of philanthropy within our community. It is this community's commitment to better, for self and others, that led to the Kalamazoo Promise being available to our graduates and the multitude of community organizations that offer support to youth within the district. It is this community powered support that nourished the environment for elevated academic achievement and personal development.
Improvements are needed in academic achievement and parent engagement.
As the chair of the Community Engagement Commitee I will continue to participate in community engagement activities much like SWOT meetings that took place this Spring, and the community meetings that took place last fall, while also supporting the many activities that the community offers.
There are many safety concerns that arise in school systems from food safety to physical safety. All safety concerns for our youth are my concern. We have been and will continue to work to improve our safety protocols and policy ensuring that the youth are at the helm of our decision making because they are our responsibility.
Occupation / Current Position
Retired
Education
B A Elementary Education. MA Elementary Education University of Arizona
Experience & Qualifications
Teacher, Principal, Assistant Superintendent, Academic Officer
Campaign Mailing Address
P.O. Box 19213 167 N Drake Kalamazoo, MI 49019
I am running for Kalamazoo School Board Trustee to ensure high levels of achievement for all students, by organizing districts’ resources to provide extraordinary academic experiences for all KPS students.
Positives: Art, Music and Physical Education Programs, Academically Talented Programs, Excellent Special Education Programs, Bilingual and Migrant Programs, Assistant Principals at High Schools, Middle School and larger Elementary Schools, Family Advocate, Behavior Specialist, Climate/Culture Coaches, Counselors, Social Workers, School Therapists. Playgrounds, Gymnasiums, Cafeterias, Transportation System, Publicly Elected Board of Education, Experienced and Dedicated Instructional Staff, Experienced and Dedicated Support Staff, Chrome Computer for Every Student. Outstanding Instructional Leadership.
Improvements: Lower Class Sizes, Pay
Work cooperatively with parents and members of the community to benefit the academic and social growth of all students.
School Safety- research best school safety ideas and then work to implement those that fit our needs. Ensure all staff and students receive training on how to secure rooms and building, in case of intruders.
