Heinrich, Claudia - Farmington
Are you an incumbent?
Yes
Brief Intro of Candidate
I was elected in November 2020 to the Farmington School Board and re-elected in 2022. I am a graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, with a BA in Education and Eastern Michigan University with a Masters Degree in Mathematics. I retired in 2015 after a 40-year career in education, teaching high school mathematics. As a member of the board of education I have served as Treasurer and Vice- President. I am currently serving as Treasurer for the 3rd time. I am chair of the Finance Committee and serve on the Communications/Community Engagement Committee. I am also on the Board of Directors for the Oakland County School Board Association
Endorsements
MEA; Theresa Rich, Mayor of Farmington Hill's; Terri Weems, School Board President; Richard Lerner, Farmington Area Goodfellows
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
none. self funded
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
My first year on the Board of Education we created a Communications/Community Engagement Committee for the purpose of engaging community members and giving opportunities for dialogue on important issues. We schedule 3 Community Dialogues on topics that are brought to us by the community members. I am a member of this committee. This has been very successful and is a model for other school districts.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
Our school district has a positive culture handbook and a restorative practice team.
We had the opportunity at one of our school board retreats to meet with the restorative practice team and engage in practices that are used in the school district. I am very supportive.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
We have invested in mental health support for students. It is important to have continued funding to support these resources for students. It is also important to provide mental health support for staff.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
This is a topic of high priority in our school district. Access to early childhood programs, support services at every grade level are important. Our curriculum department has been working diligently on "positioning" so that every student has the resources, tools and opportunities for success. We also have invested in teacher leaders and coaching support for teachers. At the secondary level we have provide tutoring for students that need additional support. Our district also partners with Dream Kings and Pretty Black Girls to provide extracurricular opportunities for our students that also help with student success.
The school meals program is also an important piece of support for all students.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
The superintendent in Farmington has had DEI Goals each year since we hired him in 2021.
He works in conjunction with our director of DEI. Our district had an Equity Audit and the director of DEI has goals each year based on the results and works with every building in the district to implement practices to support students and staff in the work of ensuring that all students, staff and families feel safe and included.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
Our Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources has developed an "ARK" model to Attract, Recruit and Keep a highly qualified and diverse staff in our district. He is also establishing relationships with HBCU's to attract and recruit a more diverse staff.
My personal opinion and suggestion that I have made is that we should recruit student teachers from HBCU's and ask our community members to act as a host family to provide housing for out of state student teachers.