kalamazoo public school board candidates 2020
Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). On her campaign website, Maddock said she will work to provide equitable opportunities for all students, strengthen partnerships between the district and community and support innovative practices within the district. His endorsements include the Michigan Education Association and Kalamazoo Education Association, the LGBTQ Victory Fund, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and state Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, who is himself a candidate in Michigan’s 6th Congressional District. Incumbent Ken Greschak is running unopposed for that seat. An icon used to represent a menu that can be toggled by interacting with this icon. Fonville, 26, described herself as a “passionate educator and advocate for KPS youth and their families.”, “Each day that I go to work, I do so with loving intentions to create opportunities for our precious KPS students to grow and learn,” Fonville said on her candidate Facebook page. “I am committed to the future of our community.”. “The future of our community is determined by the foundation of our youth,” Harrison said. Whitmer and Trump have different ideas about if and how to reopen schools. Harrison also said will work to close the gap for internet access and help minority students explore postsecondary education options, including skilled trades by implementing an easily accessible path to the district’s Early Middle College program. She is endorsed by the Kalamazoo County Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, Western Michigan University college Democrats, the Michigan Education Association and Advocating for KPS LGBTQ+ Students, a group of parents, staff, and allies of LGBTQ+ students attending KPS. (Photos supplied to MLive). These will be available on the Kalamazoo County website, www.kalcounty.com. He was the president of Parkwood Upjohn Elementary’s parent-teacher organization for three years, and served as committee chairman for the special education millage and 2018 enhancement millage that collectively secured more than $200 million in funding for the district, he said in a statement to MLive. She is a retired social studies teacher for Otsego High School. In my time here, I’ve seen so many acts of kindness and compassion. Kilgore said many parents believe the schools are not safe for all children or conducive to learning. The following candidates are running for Kalamazoo Public Library’s Board of Trustees in the 2020 Election. Schools are … “Our community and students should expect leadership that asks for fully funded public schools, education that supports lifetime success and equity principals and practices embedded in all we do.”. Click the date for the meeting packet. I support these three individuals because of their experience, their integrity, their history with our district and results.”. It will be my pleasure to get to know the … “My daily practice of commitment to KPS families and my presence in our schools is what makes my candidacy unique.”. She is a graduate of the district and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Kalamazoo schools to launch learning hubs for online students in need of extra support, Mandatory masks, 50% classroom sizes: Grand Rapids Public Schools details hybrid learning plan, When school is safer than home during a pandemic. Since 2014, we have hosted this event at the Carriage House in downtown Stillwater’s Teddy Bear Park. All are seeking seats on the KPS Board of Education, according to the Kalamazoo County Clerk’s office. 8/9/2020. COVID-19: Vaccine news and outbreak updates. announced she was ending her campaign Wednesday, Sept. 23. Morris, 43, was appointed in 2018 to fill the remaining term of Trustee Lauren Freedman, who resigned because she was leaving the state. Meet the KPL Board of Trustees Candidates. On Election Day, Nov. 3, voters will choose three from among six of those candidates to serve full, six-year terms on the school board. Board of Education Training Meeting February 17, 2021 Feb 19 2021. Harrison, 43, first joined the school board as a 2014 appointment and is currently serving as vice president. Term expires: Dec. 31, 2022. Election 2020: Northville school board candidates address issues, concerns in district . Incumbents Patti Sholler-Barber, TiAnna Harrison and Jason Morris are campaigning for another six-year term on the seven-member board while Marshall Kilgore and Megan Maddock are trying to win two of those seats in the Nov. 3 general election. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Updated Sep 30, 2020; Posted Sep 30, 2020 Candidates seeking election to the Kalamazoo Public Schools board in the Nov. 3 election are, (top, from left … Voters will also decide a two-year partial term on the school board. Philip Allmen. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. first appointed to the board in March 2014. Residence: 2425 Law Ave., Kalamazoo MI 49008. Freedman was elected to the board in November 2016 and would have served through 2022. Ken Greschak, Treasurer. St. Croix Valley Gifted will not host a 2020 Family Friendly Candidate Meet & Greet. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. Candidates seeking election to the Kalamazoo Public Schools board in the Nov. 3 election are, (top, from left to right) Jason Morris, Patti Sholler-Barber, TiAnna Harrison and (bottom, from left to right) Megan Maddock and Marshall Kilgore. It is obvious that the people of Kalamazoo have a lot of pride in their city and this school district. Subscribe now. Morris is a KPS and Western Michigan University graduate and a parent of both former and current students in the district. Grand Rapids Public Schools to supply all students with devices this fall, Kalamazoo schools will start the year online-only. Incumbent Ken Greschak, whose seat is also up this year, chose to run for the partial term instead. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Marshall Kilgore, Megan Maddock and Brionne Fonville will join incumbents Patti Sholler-Barber, Ken Greschak, TiAnna Harrison and Jason Morris on November ballots in the school district. All rights reserved (About Us). The election calendar is in a new … Coverage of the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education Meeting on August 13, 2020 as they discuss and approve the district return to learn plan. I am ready to be a champion for our students, our teachers and their families.”. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Three new candidates will challenge sitting board members seeking reelection in November in the race to help lead Kalamazoo Public Schools. By streamlining communication, implementing a student advisory board and setting an anti-bullying agenda. KALAMAZOO, Mich. — The Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education identified six candidates for the new superintendent on Monday. He works at the Bureau of Finance and Accounting Overpayment Verification. Kalamazoo Public Schools is one step closer to hiring a new superintendent after the Board of Trustees narrowed their search from five candidates to two finalists. Now is the time to step in. School board members, who had earlier chosen seven candidates from 39 applications, further narrowed the list on Thursday to three people they'd like to invite back for second interviews. Harrison, 43, is a graduate of Loy Norrix High School and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. Another candidate that was seeking to upset an incumbent, Brionne Fonville, announced she was ending her campaign Wednesday, Sept. 23. As an educator, parent, and library patron, I appreciate the services and programs KPL provides to our community. Harrison, an incumbent and the board’s current vice president, was appointed to the board in 2014 and later won a seat in the election that year. “Our students, parents, teachers and administrators need a school board that is up to the difficult work at hand in this historical moment,” Greschak said in a post announcing his decision to run. Here are the candidates who have filed to run for those four seats on the local school board: Kilgore, 21, is the advocacy director for OutFront Kalamazoo and a former staff member for Gov. “I use my knowledge of my personal experiences to provide a view of empathy in every project I take part in,” Kilgore said. Five seats on the Omaha Public Schools school board in Nebraska were up for general election on November 3, 2020.The filing deadline for incumbents in this election was February 18, 2020, and the filing deadline for non-incumbents in this election was March 2, 2020. He describes himself as “an activist who is passionate about education and equity.” He is a Black, bisexual male who is passionate about working on behalf of marginalized communities, he said on his campaign website. Fonville said she has observed the sitting board and believes it is lacking representation and experience. “These are three amazing people who care so much about our children, our educators and our schools,” Hopewell wrote in a Facebook post. STABLE. The three incumbents were also jointly endorsed by UAW Local 2150, which is the union representing assistant principals at KPS. Morris said he is running for reelection to continue doing work for the school district. Phone: (269) 330-6159. January 30, 2020… She replaced Michael Rice, who was the superintendent of Kalamazoo Public School District from 2007 to 2019. July 25, 2019. Former Kalamazoo mayor Bobby Hopewell endorsed Sholler-Barber, Harrison and Morris together. (Photos provided to MLive by candidates). Sholler-Barber lists other endorsements on her website, including longtime KPS Superintendent Michael Rice who is now Michigan’s state superintendent and current local school board members Jennie Hill and Jermaine Jackson. “I am always willing to lend my voice and energy towards causes that will provide for a better future for our world.”. School Board 2020: Candidate Questionnaire. Now is not the time to step away. 3 candidates will challenge incumbents in Kalamazoo school board race Updated Aug 07, 2020; Posted Aug 07, 2020 (Top left) Marshall Kilgore, Megan Maddock and … KALAMAZOO, MI -- Five candidates are running for four open seats on the Kalamazoo Public Library Board, including two incumbents. “Our students’ voices are not being heard, bullying is still prevalent and we are not addressing the race issues we have in our schools,” he said. Two newcomers, who are both endorsed by the state teachers union and LGBTQ advocate organizations, are looking to bring a new perspective to the board. Rice resigned as Kalamazoo superintendent when he was named state superintendent. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. KPL has had many successful initiatives in the recent years and I am eager to help continue to build on that momentum of success. She has served as its president since 2011, and also served in the leadership role from 2007-09. She is a “positive, productive contributing member of society” and mother of three children, Harrison said in a statement to MLive. Maddock, 28, a teacher at the Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home and a LGBTQ equity and inclusion activist, said she is running to provide equitable opportunities for all students. Sholler-Barber, 71, was first elected to the school board in 2006 and currently serves as president. Hometownlife.com. (Top left) Marshall Kilgore, Megan Maddock and Brionne Fonville will join incumbents (bottom left) Patti Sholler-Barber, TiAnna Harrison and Jason Morris on the November ballot — all seeking seats on the KPS Board of Education. Gretchen Whitmer’s campaign. There were some precinct changes made in 2019 and they are reflected in the manual. employee groups. Greschak was first appointed to the board in March 2014 and later won his seat on Election Day the same year. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from WMU and a marketing/Spanish high school diploma from Loy Norrix High School. If elected, she also hopes to create a parent advisory group and increase parent volunteering. Incumbent Ken Greschak is the only candidate running for a separately elected two-year partial term on the board. She is also endorsed by Von Washington, executive director of community relations for The Kalamazoo Promise, state Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo, and Kalamazoo City Commissioner Chris Praedel. Stay connected to your local school district with coverage of the Kalamazoo Public Schools Schools Board of Education meeting held on February 25, 2021. Since becoming superintendent on June 1, my experiences getting to know the people of Kalamazoo have been nothing short of inspiring. February 25, 2021 KPS Board of Education Feb 26 2021. S:\Personnel\AA --- Denise\GROUPS\Work Schedules - All Groups\2020-2021\First Day of Work Letter 2020-2021 School Year.docx. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). It is possible that additional changes will be made in early 2020. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. It is my pleasure to provide you the 2020 Candidate Manual. © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. View Comments. The list of endorsements for Morris also includes current board members Jermaine Jackson and Jennie Hill, Angee McCormick, the president of the KPS Supply Closet and Diana Walker, vice president of the Galesburg-Augusta Community Schools Board of Education. The three incumbents are campaigning together, with many yard signs and mailers encouraging residents to “vote for experience.”. The Gretna Breeze sent the candidates a questionnaire and asked them to respond to Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. We have asked the candidates to introduce themselves by answering the following questions: Please tell us a little about yourself and your familiarity with the Kalamazoo Public Library. Sholler-Barber, an incumbent and the current board president, was first elected to the board in 2006. January 9, 2020. VOTE JasonMorris4KPS TiAnna Harrison for Kalamazoo Public School Board & Patti Sholler-Barber for Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education SAFE. Five candidates are running for three open seats on the Gretna Public Schools Board of Education. School board. Board of Education Meeting Packets. “Indeed, now is not the time to step away. I can see why. (Bottom right) Incumbent Ken Greschak is running unopposed for a separately elected two-year partial term. Greschak said he hopes to develop a “true social-emotional support program” in the district and develop a new parent navigation system to help parents access information. But in Michigan, plans are ultimately local. DATE: August 10, 2020. The five candidates vying for three, six-year terms on the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education. RE: First workday for 2020 - 2021 School Year. 2019-2020 Board of Education Meetings. KALAMAZOO, MI -- Five candidates are vying to fill three, six-year seats on the Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education in the Nov. 3 general election. Greschak, former board vice president and its current board treasurer, initially announced he would not seek reelection, but later said the pandemic and the killing of George Floyd made it necessary for him to stay engaged. All rights reserved (About Us). Welcome to the new kpl.gov, our patron-focused website. E-Mail Treasurer Greschak. He also wants to place the district’s attention on academic outcomes, looking to provide the best education for students during the pandemic uncertainty and ensure that children learn what they need to “become the people to which they aspire.”, “Each of these initiatives, and more (like our soon-to-be-launched website), require pursuit and focus,” Greschak said. Hoadley encouraged voters to support Kilgore’s campaign in a Facebook endorsement. She wants to advocate for middle college and trade courses at alternative schools, decrease homework expectations, remove test scores from teacher evaluations and implement mindfulness practices. Three seats on the Ralston Public Schools school board in Nebraska were up for general election on November 3, 2020.The filing deadline for incumbents in this election was February 18, 2020, and the filing deadline for non-incumbents in this election was March 2, 2020. She also attended Western Michigan University (WMU). “As an elected trustee, I will be a servant-leader that maintains the public trust, listens first before moving to an educated answer, and keeps 13,000 students and 850+ staff championed by working for better state and national funding, encouraging team work on equitable and student focused policies and more socio-emotional supports in the classrooms,” Sholler-Barber, 71, said in a statement to MLive. KALAMAZOO, MI -- From former Kalamazoo mayor Bobby Hopewell to organizations like Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, community leaders and groups are endorsing candidates in the run for Kalamazoo Public Schools Board of Education. He said he wants to make KPS “a career-ready society by ensuring all students have access to quality education that sets them up for success with a an emphasis on career and technical training.”, He also hopes to “foster an inclusive safe, secure learning environment where all of our student’s needs are met and where every child feels seen and heard” and “create pathways to success for Black and brown young men through strong social-emotional support with a focus on cultural competency.”. Greschak, 59, is running unopposed for the partial, two-year term while Morris is running for a full, six-year term. See here to read more about the candidates and hear from them on important topics including coronavirus and community involvement. She will advocate for educational practices that are culturally competent and responsive toward racial, class and social inclusivity. She is also a member of the Community in Schools board. She said she is seeking reelection after her first six-year term because she is “caring, competent, culturally-responsive” and “committed.”, “I understand that there is power in knowledge,” Harrison said. Kalamazoo's 2016 school board elections featured more candidates per seat than the district's 2014 elections. Please Vote November 3, 2020 to KEEP KPS SCHOOLS STRONG. “I am dedicated and determined to ensure that every student is on a path to graduate and be educationally equipped to begin a journey toward a successful future.”. Harrison said she will continue to encourage policies at KPS that are innovative, equitable and inclusive. Welcome to Kalamazoo Public Schools! Kalamazoo Public Schools' Board of Trustees is hosting their second round of interviews as they search for a new superintendent. During this time, we have completely rebuilt our website, events calendar, and catalog. Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube. Kalamazoo Public School District is located in southwestern Michigan in Kalamazoo ... Rita Raichoudhuri became the superintendent of Kalamazoo Public School District on June 1, 2020. 2020-21 Smart and Safe Start Plan; COVID-19; Kalamazoo Virtual Learning Path (KVLP) KPS Equity Cohorts and Community Learning Hubs; KRESA Virtual & Innovative Learning Collaborative (KVIC) Meals; Schedules; Tools & Strategies; Trimester information; Communications Workspace" The partial term is open because of an appointment to the board in 2018. COVID-19: Vaccine news and outbreak updates. She wants to increase mental health support, evaluate suspension and expulsion policies and employ restorative practices with fidelity. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and certifications from WMU. Kalamazoo Public School Board Meeting January 30, 2020. “I want to change that.