ELPS School Board Will Have At Least Two New Members After Elections

Eight individuals will be running to fill three open positions on the East Lansing Board of Education on this November’s ballot, according to information made available from the East Lansing City Clerk’s Office.

Three current members—President Erin Graham, Trustee Hilary Henderson, and Trustee Nichole Martin—face expiring terms.

Only Martin is running for reelection.

Graham is pursuing other political office. She won the August 4 primary on the Democratic ticket for County Commissioner in Ingham’s 9^th District. She will now face off against Republican Crystal Grantham.

Henderson, who is finishing her second term on the School Board, is not seeking reelection.

Seven candidates join Nichole Martin in the race: Dorian Prier, Debbie Walton, Elizabeth Lyons, Gregory Hess, Joshua Barber, Monica Fink, and Matthew Heos.

The candidates had until July 21 to file their candidacies with the East Lansing City Clerk by submitting an Affidavit of Identity and petitions of nomination with no less than 40 and no more than 100 registered school district voters’ signatures. Candidates could pay a $100 fee in lieu of signatures.

All candidates except Martin paid the fee. Martin submitted 48 signatures endorsing her candidacy.

Matthew Heos and Monica Fink were the first to register on June 15 and 25, respectively. The others all finalized their paperwork in July.

East Lansing Info has contacted each candidate for more information about their backgrounds and their reasons for running.. We will publish the candidates’ responses in the coming days.

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