School Board Candidates Describe Their Qualifications, Priorities if Elected

There are six candidates running to fill four slots on the East Lansing Board of Education. To help residents get to know who is running, ELi asked each candidate to answer three questions in 250 words or less.

The school board seats will be determined in two separate races. One race is for three full, four-year terms. The candidates for those seats are Chris Martin, Estrella Torrez, Felix Thibodeau and Elizabeth Lyons.

The other race is for a two-year partial term. Gary Holbrook and Abbie Tykocki are the candidates in that election.

The following responses were written by candidates. The order responses are shown in was determined randomly.

Question: Why are you running for school board? What would your top priorities be if elected and why are you the correct person to address these issues?

Candidates for full terms

Elizabeth Lyons

Currently serving on the board, I bring valuable qualifications that enhance my ability to contribute effectively to our district. My experience as Vice President for the past two years has equipped me with strong leadership and communication skills, enabling me to foster collaboration and drive initiatives that benefit our educational community. Additionally, I prioritize active listening to understand the diverse perspectives of our families, students, teachers, and administration. This commitment to open dialogue ensures that all voices are heard and respected, allowing us to make informed decisions that reflect the needs and aspirations of our community. I am dedicated to continuing this collaborative approach, promoting transparency, and working towards the best outcomes for our students and schools in the ELPS district.

Felix Thibodeau

I decided to run for school board because I am a young person who is fed up with what is happening to our children. I’m furious that kids today are powerless to change the world around them. I’ve been in school shooter drills as a child. I’ve felt the dread of the uncertain future. I remember looking around and wondering why no one would take my concerns seriously, and why I never heard someone talking about fixing the things that actually worried me. Our kids have access to more information than any generation in human history. They have more immediate connection to world events than ever before. They are plugged in, and they are unhappy. Because nothing seems to change. Year after year. No one has any solutions and students have no reason to think one will come. My top priority is to be a student advocate. Schooling, after all, is ALL ABOUT THE STUDENTS! We need to teach them confidence in themselves and their abilities. Instill in them the knowledge that they are powerful actors for change. Ask any high school graduate if they feel prepared for adulthood and I bet you get a sardonic response. This lack of confidence is a fundamental failure and an indictment on our broader education system. 

Estrella Torrez

My interest in running for the East Lansing Public Schools School Board Trustee is to support a school community that has been instrumental for my family for the last 17 years. I found my education in Michigan’s Thumb area public schools did not welcome my family and often created obstacles for my family members to succeed academically. I want to ensure that all ELPS families have positive experiences with the school community and know that the wellbeing of their students is a priority. I have worked closely with Indigenous and Latine families in Greater Lansing through culturally supportive community events and K-12 afterschool programming. Through these commitments, I have maintained a connection to various schools and educational settings and, more importantly, built relationships with families from diverse backgrounds. My intent has always been and continues to be to create spaces where students, parents, teachers, and community members across demographics feel supported and heard. Through these experiences, I have learned that best practices are founded in understanding community resources, setting realistic agreed-upon expectations, and intentionally building in space for earnest dialogue inclusive of all stakeholders.

Chris Martin

I am running for School Board Trustee because I want to continue supporting the great work our District has accomplished during my time on the Board. I was first elected to the Board in 2018. I have served as School Board President since January of 2024. I am a strong voice on the Board because I have unique perspectives as a parent, community leader, and former teacher.

As a parent, I believe it is important to continue raising the bar for academic opportunity and achievement. If I am re-elected, I will work to ensure equitable access to opportunities for our students, high standards, and a focus on meeting students’ individual needs and goals. I will seek innovative ways to promote academic achievement that prepare our students to successfully pursue college, careers, and other post-secondary endeavors.

As a former public school teacher, I understand that meeting the needs of our students is pivotal to academic success and requires significant investment from teachers and families. Teachers also need structural support from administration and District leadership. I know the demands of teaching first-hand, and I have built strong relationships with our teachers and administrators to support their work.

My wife, Laura Tortorelli, is a professor in the College of Education at MSU. Teaching and learning are essential values in our family. Laura and I have two children in ELPS. We stay involved in the schools, and we enjoy supporting the great work of ELPS students and teachers.

Candidates for partial term

Gary Holbrook

I’m running for the school board because I’m heavily invested in ELPS and I want to see ELPS continue to be successful. The district put away a “rainy day” fund during COVID, and it took advantage of several grant programs. We’re now seeing some of those grant programs come to an end, we have three unions bargaining this year, and we have a new finance director. My top priority is to keep our student advocate and mental health services in place at the middle school and high school, as we renew our union contracts, and without needing to dip into our fund balance. I’m the right person to address these issues because I recall very clearly the budget shortfalls that Michigan schools experienced in the early 2000s and I know that we’re only an election away from repeating those shortfalls. 

Abbie Tykocki

Our public schools need strong advocates. As a parent and educator I’m running to protect students, support teachers, and ensure an inclusive, high-quality learning environment for all ELPS students. In a candidate field filled with incumbents after a number of challenging years, I offer a fresh perspective.

We need to bridge the divide between our schools and their surrounding neighborhoods. I will leverage the experiences and connections I’ve built through my extensive local civic engagement to create mutually beneficial opportunities for both students and community members. To learn more about my background in civic engagement, please visit vote4abbie.com.

I believe in striving for individual and collective excellence by recognizing what is good and transforming it into something great. Together, we can make a difference in our schools and community.