Dr. Todd Ellis is an Education Leader for Kalamazoo

Todd Ellis is a dynamic leader, with decades of public education experience and a passion for supporting student learning.

Dr. Todd Ellis, at home smiling and hoping you'll support him in his campaign

Why I'm Running for the KPS Board

Achieving the Promise

KPS students are great young men and women. I work with my 5th-grade daughter's class regularly, and I see that they are smart, know how to use their voice, and want to make a mark on the world around them. But on average, 10% of them will not be eligible to take advantage of the Kalamazoo Promise. We owe them a school district that positions them to succeed at KPS, go to college or trade school, and then be the powerful young leaders they can be.

Supporting our Support Staff and Educators

Our district has grown significantly. According to the W.E. Upjohn Institute, between 2006 and 2022, we added 229 graduates—a 44% increase! But we have not kept up with the number of support staff and teachers needed. Class sizes are high—sometimes approaching 40 students per class at Maple Street Magnet School for the Arts. Veteran teachers are leaving the district. Three of my daughter's 5 previous teachers have left in the past five years, and not because of pay. They are leaving because they can't be effective educators without better support - more support staff, more classroom resources, and more time to innovate and differentiate how they teach our individual children!

Support staff are also being stretched so thin. Yes, the board passed the highest pay raise for support staff in history this year, but there are still bus drivers who can't afford a place to sleep, let alone that liability insurance they should have to protect them if an accident should occur. And our staff know and love our children as much as any teacher! They help them dress, keep them safe, and pay for things out of their own pocket while remaining nearly invisible to the public. They are a vital part of our system and deserve our support!

Committing the Board to Transparency

The Board of Education represents the voice of the citizens in a school district. But it can't be effective if it deliberates mostly behind closed doors. Far too often, committee reports are unpublished, large expenditures are approved first and then discussed after, and not once have I seen a motion of any kind actually debated.

It begs the question: When is the board discussing the work? Why is it so hard to find records of what the board is working on so that the public can comment ahead of time on upcoming motions?

The public deserves better. I have chaired many committees and boards and am a certified parliamentarian. We can easily clean up this mess and restore the needed openness to our district's operation.

Dr. Todd Ellis is Qualified to Serve as a Trustee for KPS

A Lifetime of Excellence in Education

Todd is an award-winning college educator with over 25 years of experience. He has focused his research on education and professional development for K-12 STEM education. He has developed lessons for all grades and has been an education leader with NASA and the GLOBE Program around the world.

A Proven Academic Leader

Todd has taken on many leadership roles throughout his career. He served as a Presiding Officer of the Faculty at SUNY Oneonta and helped shepherd many significant curricular changes through academic governance. He has also earned the Registered Parliamentarian credential through the National Association of Parliamentarians, which certifies that he excels at running meetings and guiding organizations through their bylaws.

A Champion for Teachers and Support Staff

Our teachers and support staff are any school district's beating heart. I am proud to stand by their unions as they fight for just pay and better working conditions. But more than that, I want to see KPS support our teachers and staff with meaningful professional development, truly supportive mentorship, and the materials they need to lead 21st-century classrooms!

Dr. Todd Ellis is an Education Leader for Kalamazoo

Why I'm Running for the KPS Board

Achieving the Promise

Supporting our Support Staff and Educators

Committing the Board to Transparency

Donate Today

Dr. Todd Ellis is Qualified to Serve as a Trustee for KPS

A Lifetime of Excellence in Education

A Proven Academic Leader

A Champion for Teachers and Support Staff

Photos from the Campaign Trail

Contact Us

Drop us a line! I want to hear more about what issues you see in the district. I want you to ask me questions about my stances on today's public education. Write to me below and let's have a conversation!

Subscribe

Dr. Todd Ellis is an Education Leader for Kalamazoo

Why I'm Running for the KPS Board

Achieving the Promise

Supporting our Support Staff and Educators

Committing the Board to Transparency

Donate Today

Connect With Us

Dr. Todd Ellis is Qualified to Serve as a Trustee for KPS

A Lifetime of Excellence in Education

A Proven Academic Leader

A Champion for Teachers and Support Staff

Photos from the Campaign Trail

Contact Us

Drop us a line! I want to hear more about what issues you see in the district. I want you to ask me questions about my stances on today's public education. Write to me below and let's have a conversation!

Subscribe

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