Ashley Kuykendoll

Candidate Name: Ashley Kuykendoll, MBA
Age: 33 – FYI, I do not understand the relevance of this question. In my opinion, it reads
as though my age should be a consideration for my candidacy.
Candidate for [Elected Position]: Grand Ledge Public School Board of Education
Candidate Website: https://www.ashleykuykendoll4glps.com/
Candidate Contact for Public: ashleykuykendoll.glps@gmail.com
Are you registered with any party? No If so, please share your party affiliation: N/A
Please share all your social media accounts
https://www.facebook.com/AshleyKuykendoll4GLPS
Please include a high quality photo of the candidate. Attached to email
1. What motivated you to run for the position you are seeking election to?
I am an involved parent of two children currently enrolled in the district and
professional who understands the importance of education, collaboration, and
execution for the success of the district. As a candidate, I am willing to do the
work necessary to review concerns from multiple vantage points and make sound,
data driven decisions. GLPS is a great district where I would like to see continued
progression and positive momentum.
2. What is your vision for the public body you want to serve on?
My vision as a school board trustee is to collaboratively and effectively work with
the school administration in providing the best education and experience
possible. The school board is responsible for elevating the concerns of the
community and working towards a resolution. The board hires the superintendent
and reviews their performance. Ideally, the board will be the bridge between the
administration and the community. We should all be showing up with the best
interest of the students at the forefront of our minds and decision making.

3. How does your vision differ from that of your opponents?
I believe parent/guardian and teacher collaboration, along with family involvement
and community partnership, are critical pillars of support in every student’s
success. All of these pillars working together will allow Grand Ledge to offer a
robust and exceptional education experience. I believe if you educate students
exceptionally well and engage them in meaningful extracurricular activities

supporting development they will excel and become exceptional community
members wherever they go.
4. Funding for schools has been a consistent concern for nearly three decades. Proposal 1,
passed in the 90s was supposed to level the playing field in funding assuring that
districts with distressed property values would receive comparable per pupil funding.
That has not been the case. If elected, how will you address the under funding of
schools?
The underfunding of public schools has been a consistent issue for many districts
throughout Michigan, and researched data has proven greater funding in public
schools reduces the academic achievement gap of students. At a local level I
believe there should be a projected cost analysis conducted annually and
presented to the public as an itemized list. This list could empower parents and
community members to have conversations with the appropriate elected officials
to advocate for greater funding in their area.
5. Has school choice, which allows students and parents to apply for and attend a different
school district than the one they live in, been a success? Why or why not?
There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding if school of choice has been
successful including student academic achievement, available
resources/structures of support in the area, economic/fiscal impact, and much
more. For the 2022-2023 school year Grand Ledge Public Schools has seen an
increase in its number of students attending using the school of choice
enrollment program. School of choice has brought value to many families and
continues to be a sought-after option around our area.
6. Proposals in Michigan have long sought to use public dollars to pay for private school
tuition and costs. Do you support vouchers for private schools? Why or why not?
I believe that public tax funds should be allocated exclusively to the public school
system where there is public accountability, and every person has the opportunity
to engage in education.
7. If vouchers are approved, public schools may see a decline in enrollment. How would
you close the funding gap by a reduction in per pupil funding?
Addressing a funding gap as a result of decreased enrollment can be difficult for
any district to navigate. I would start by evaluating several items including
income, expenses, infrastructure needs, projected growth, and more. I would
review previous year budgets and spending habits and try to evaluate unexpected
expenditures that impacted the district previously. Equipped with that information
I would solicit feedback of successful strategies that other districts have used to
overcome funding gaps and evaluate what can be applied to Grand Ledge. With
that in mind I would engage stakeholders including parents, community members,

teachers, etc. in a larger conversation. With so many factors to consider we must
do our due diligence in reviewing current information and having conversations
before definitive decision can be made.
8. Educators have been under scrutiny over LGBT youth support, LGBT history, the
American history of communities of color and more. In addition, school libraries are
pulling books off of shelves in public school libraries and public libraries.
a. Please share your perspective as you pertains to providing safe schools and
education for LGBT youth.
As a candidate, I support environments that are welcoming and safe for all.
This includes students, staff, parents/guardians, and volunteers in every
physical and virtual setting. Everyone engaging with GLPS deserves to be
safe and valued.
b. Please share your perspective about integrating the history of communities of
color into curriculums in the public schools.
The history of communities of color in America is part of American History.
It is imperative as we develop critical thinking skills of students that we
able to review historical events in full context, which includes the
perspectives of every group present during the event.
c. Do you support the removal of books some find objectionable from public school
shelves and public libraries? Why or why not?
As a candidate, I support Grand Ledge Public Schools commitment to
developing critical thinking skills that prepares students to engage with the
world around them. Part of engaging in the world around them is
understanding that varying views, ideologies, lifestyles, and more shape
the perspectives and lived experiences of others. Reading books grants
access to awareness and perspective that the student may not have
considered before, in a non-threatening way. It offers the opportunity to
create empathy, intellect, and emotional intelligence that will be used to
sustain and build community.
d. If you support such removals, at what point does the purge of objectionable
books stop? When it is the Quran? When it is the Torah? The Nag Hamadi? The
Bible? What policies will you put in place to monitor and assess removal of
books?
Per my previous response, this question is not applicable.

e. If you do not support the removal of objectionable books, what policies will you
support to stop the removal of books from public school libraries?
As a candidate, I would support policies that are reflective of the
community input and Grand Ledge Public Schools commitment to
developing critical thinking skills that prepares students to engage with the
world around them.

9. There has been a split on how COVID was responded to by schools, and other
government bodies. Please answer the following questions:

a. Did you support the shut down of schools during the COVID-19 crisis? Why or
why not?
I believe over the last two years we’ve learned a lot more about COVID-19
than we knew in the beginning and we have to be mindful that hindsight is
20/20, it is much easier to pass judgement on what should have happened
with two years of experience behind us. I believe school administrators
made the best decision they could with the information they had along with
the guidance/recommendations of the CDC, County Health Departments,
the Governor’s mandate.
b. There has been a marked loss of educational gain as a result of the shut down.
How will you address this problem?
The Board should prioritize spending on programs that have proven to
increase student learning through data. Some strategies that have proven
to recover learning loss include:
 District wide one-on-one tutoring programs, emphasis on integrating
classroom lessons into various after-school and support activities
 Individualized learning plans with targeted concentration on
comprehension gaps
 Focus on expanding community partnership with established and
vetted organizations, growing capacity to provide more individualized
attention

c. Did you support face masks? Why or why not?
I believe over the last two years we’ve learned a lot more about COVID-19
than we knew in the beginning and we have to be mindful that hindsight is
20/20, it is much easier to pass judgement on what should have happened
with two years of experience behind us. I believe school administrators
made the best decision they could with the information they had along with
the guidance/recommendations of the CDC, County Health Departments,
the Governor’s mandate.

d. Do you support the COVID-19 vaccine? Why or why not?
As a candidate, I support taking personal health and communal health very
seriously. Individuals should make the best decisions they can for their
health with the information available and in alignment with their personal
values.
e. Do you support vaccination for all students in public schools? Why or why not?
As a candidate, I support taking personal health and communal health very
seriously. Individuals should make the best decisions they can for their
health with the information available and in alignment with their personal
values.
f. There has been a growing mental health crisis among our youth. It was present
before the pandemic, but experts warn it has gotten worse since the pandemic. If
elected, how will you address the mental health needs of our students?
I think there should be an intentional focus on collaboration between the
district, board, and community to address the concerns surrounding
mental health of students. I believe it is imperative to take in sound, data
driven information along with guidance from the experts in the space. I also
believe it is important to hear the concerns from those impacted by the
decision. From there we can review how applicable the recommendations
are for GLPS and make modifications designed to minimize negative
impacts or unintended consequences.

10. There have been a number of school shootings, with deeply tragic consequences for
students, teachers and administrators alike – as well as communities. If elected, what
will you do to address the school violence crisis, including school shootings?
As a mother of students currently enrolled in Grand Ledge Public Schools I
believe student and community safety is a top priority. The school board
member’s role and responsibility is to collaboratively and effectively work with the
school administration in providing the best education and environment possible.
Ideally, the board will be the bridge between the administration and the
community. As a board member I would continue elevating conversations,
strategies, and resources around safety.
11. Elections have become a serious concern for some voters. Please answer the following
questions:
a. If you lose your election, will you accept the results? Why or why not?

Yes. I have faith in the integrity of many local elected officials and the
processes in place to maintain transparency to the public.
b. If your election is close and you chose to pay for a recount, will you accept the
result of a recount? Why or why not?
Yes. I have faith in the integrity of many local elected officials and the
processes in place to maintain transparency to the public.
c. Much has been made about the 2020 election. Do you believe Donald Trump
won the election? Why or why not?
I believe the election process was accurate in the results provided in the
2020 election. I have faith in the integrity of many local elected officials and
the processes in place to maintain transparency to the public.
d. Do you believe there was widespread election fraud? Why or why not?
I believe the election process was accurate in the results provided in the
2020 election. I have faith in the integrity of many local elected officials and
the processes in place to maintain transparency to the public.
e. Do you believe leaders in Washington are involved in a secret pedophilia ring?
Why or why not?
I believe all concerns of pedophilia, regardless of status or position, should
be reported to the appropriate authorities and investigated thoroughly.
f. Do you believe the Jan. 6 Capitol incident was appropriate in light of the
election? Why or why not?
I believe the Jan.6 Capitol Incident was incited through fear and the
misrepresentation of information. This incident highlighted how power and
influence can motivate many to behave in a reckless manner, damaging
government property and putting the very democracy our country upholds
in danger. It is a deep stain on our nation.

12. Are you a member, or have you ever been a member or donated to any of the following
organizations:
a. Socialist party – No
b. Rock the Vote – No
c. The Democratic Party – No
d. Any Democratic Candidate for Office - 1
e. The Republican Party – No
f. Any Republican Candidate for Office – No

g. The American Taxpayers Party – No
h. Any American Taxpayer Party Candidate for Office – No
i. The Heritage Foundation – No
j. People for the American Way – No
k. III Percenters – No
l. Proud Boys – No
13. Please share with readers and voters your qualifications for the position you seek.
I obtained my Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Family Community Service from Michigan
State University and my Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from Davenport
University. I’ve been involved in creating positive and effective environments of
influence through community service and giving back for 15+ years. I am an
experienced professional with an emphasis on strategic planning, goal/metric
setting, and making data driven decision. I pride myself on being a person of integrity
committed to accountability and transparency.