Hochkammer, Amy - Birmingham Public Schools (BPS)

Are you an incumbent?

Yes

Brief Intro of Candidate

I worked in the finance industry for 25 years, gaining experience in trust administration, trust operations, brokerage operations and personal finance. I was with Comerica Bank for several years and then I worked for Morgan Stanley until 2018 when I decided to dedicate my time and energy to my family and my community by running for the Birmingham Board of Education.

As a committed, community volunteer, I spent many years in leadership roles within BPS and in the greater Detroit area. I have served as Treasurer of the Junior League of Birmingham, Chair of the Birmingham Family YMCA Board of Managers, President of the BPS PTA Council, and President of Schools Offer Support, a non-profit organization that provides temporary financial assistance for families in need throughout the BPS community. I am a current Trustee for the Birmingham Board of Education, President of the Oakland County School Boards Association (OCSBA) and Chair of the Executive Leadership Committee for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s 2025 Visionary of the Year Campaign - Detroit.

I have a passion for public education, advocacy and finance and for those reasons, it would be my honor to be able to continue to serve the BPS community by being re-elected to the Birmingham Board of Education.

Endorsements

I have not yet received any endorsements yet but I have responded to requests from Birmingham Bloomfield Dems and Michigan Education Association (MEA) through the Birmingham Education Association (BEA).

Top financials Contributors

Website and social media links

Currently self-funded

I am still finalizing website and social media

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?

BPS has a proud history of working with parents, families and students to ensure that a variety of voices are heard from our community at large. Students, parents and community members are always represented on our Curriculum Council which is the committee that recommends new curricula for review and approval to the Board of Education. All curriculum materials are made available to the general public so that anybody can provide input and feedback to the district before final decisions are made.

Likewise, our Strategic Plan, which was adopted in 2022, was developed based on input from 1751 survey responses, 14 focus groups and two committees made up of 60 stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and roles. Together these individuals created a Strategic Plan that includes goals around Student Achievement, Culture of Unity and Well-Being, World-Class Talent and Responsible Stewardship. The Strategic Plan is the roadmap for the Board of Education.

As a Board of Education Trustee, I always encourage individuals to make public comment and participate in our board meetings and study sessions. All voting board meetings are available via live-stream and they are recorded and posted on our website. If community members have specific questions regarding a topic, I encourage them to email or call board members or the appropriate staff member for further information. I believe that listening to the public is a crucial part of being a school board member.

What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?

BPS has a Student Code of Conduct that provides the basis for the district’s disciplinary philosophy. The Code identifies standards of conduct needed to support the educational objectives of the District and to protect each student's right to a safe, orderly, and productive learning environment. Students are required to review the Code of Conduct and agree to it. The district also has board policies and administrative guidelines which provide further disciplinary standards.

Restorative practices are a vital part of any discipline plan and should always be considered, either as an alternative to, or in lieu of, harsher punishments such as in-school suspension, suspension and expulsion.

What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health

Since the Covid pandemic, student mental health has been at the forefront of conversations about students and families. Students are experiencing anxiety, depression and behavior problems at alarming rates and districts across Michigan are working hard to expand their support programs.

BPS has tried to address these issues by creating Strategic Plan Goals around Culture of Unity and Well-Being including creating a district-wide system to encourage social and emotional wellness, increase authentic engagement with students, staff, parents, families, community and alumni and create equitable access to extra-curricular resources and opportunities.

The district’s annual climate survey continues to inform administration as to how our schools can improve on these goals. It is my belief that creating a positive school culture where students feel welcomed, supported and engaged is crucial to improving student mental health and academic achievement.

What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?

In order to improve student achievement outcomes for Black students, BPS must use data to analyze and review where those students stand in relation to the student body as a whole and the growth projections that are necessary to close identified achievement gaps. BPS has recently increased their student test cycle from two to three times a year so that data can be reviewed more frequently and multi-tiered systems of support and intervention (MTSSI) can be applied as early as possible.

The state of Michigan uses School Index Scores as a way to assess the gains that districts are making relative to sub-groups that are underperforming compared to the district as a whole. These School Index Scores encourage districts to identify and close achievement gaps for Black students and other sub-groups that are not experiencing optimal academic outcomes.

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?

BPS has many forums for engaging our caregivers, parents and community members as well as students. The district supports several, active affinity groups that participate in events and meetings with students, parents and staff to promote a healthy, supportive community. These groups include among others, the Birmingham African American Network, BPS Family Pride, BPS Parent Pride, Latino Network, PTA, Parent Advisory Council, FRIENDS (of different learners) and Birmingham Youth Assistance. Affinity groups provide support networks and information for families who are navigating similar experiences.

In addition to supporting families and students through affinity groups, BPS sends an annual climate survey to students, staff and parents in order to collect data on how well we are providing a safe, inclusive environment. The data we collect is divided into sub-groups and analyzed so that the board and administration can understand how we can better serve ALL members of our community, especially those who feel marginalized or unheard.

Having knowledgeable, diverse staff who can empathize with students is also helpful and necessary to make our schools a safe and encouraging place for everybody.

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?

BPS is committed to attracting and retaining world class talent. The district needs to have a diverse staff which mirrors that of our student body. In order to achieve this goal, we must increase access to diverse candidates, offer a supportive work environment, and provide relevant professional development that is exciting and motivating to the teachers and staff.

In addition, the Board of Education must be fiscally responsible so that our district can continue to offer competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits for staff and their families, and a safe, supportive work environment.