My name is Shawn Colley and I am running for a board of education position with the Forest Hills Public Schools District. I am a husband, father, retail executive, student mentor, and longtime supporter of FHPS.
The reason I am running for school board is to ensure that all decisions made are ones that put the student’s interests first, to continue to support the longstanding success and enrichment this district has achieved so far, and work towards focusing on the bright future of the district and community.
About Me and My Family
My family and I have lived in the Eastern part of the FHPS district for nine years. We relocated from the Chicagoland suburbs when I took a role at Meijer. The longstanding success and enrichment of the students in the district and the outstanding Special Education program is why we chose to call the FHPS community our home.
My son, Joe, is currently in 7th grade at Eastern Middle School and the ASD Program. He previously attended Ada Elemtary for Pre-K and Orchard View Elementary. He enjoys watching movies, playing video games, swimming, and building elaborate lego creations.
My wife, Samantha, has been an active community volunteer in the district for many years, ranging from a classroom parent and on the Orchard View PTO board to being a part of the FHPS Parent Advisory Council. She currently is on the Board of Trustees for the FHPS Foundation.
As a family, we enjoy golfing and being outdoors, planning vacations and traveling, as well as spending quality time with our family and friends.
Why I’m running for School Board
My decision to run for a board position stems from a long held belief of supporting education and being of service to my community. Our family has supported FHPS in many ways over the last nine years since moving into the district and it has given me a unique perspective that I feel will bring value to the board. I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of education and the profound impact it has on shaping young minds. This has instilled a deep commitment to ensuring every child in our district has access to a quality, enriching educational experience.
I believe that open, transparent communication between the district, families, educational staff and the community is essential for building trust and fostering a collaborative environment. Additionally, I will advocate to provide our students with the resources they need to thrive. Recognizing the diverse needs of all learners, I will be a vocal proponent for FHPS to continue to have a robust special education program that ensures every child receives the support they deserve.
As a parent of a child with Autism, I am extremely proud of how the FHPS community has embraced students that are a part of the Special Education Program. Many programs will often silo these students and limit their interactions and involvement with the greater student community and treat them as a problem, not a community to celebrate. FHPS does the opposite by being inclusive and supportive to students and families, providing exemplary special education teachers and staff and making sure that these students are made to feel included, welcomed, and celebrated.
I want to ensure that decisions made are ones that put our students’ best interests first. By bringing an objective, data-driven, fact-based approach, I will be able to focus on the important factors that impact our children, the employees, and families in the FHPS district. I respect all sides of a conversation and understand in this role as a board member you need to listen to all views. I welcome the time I will spend with the community members, parents, and other board members having an open dialogue approach on matters that affect our students.
I believe educating a child in a public school should involve fostering the growth of the entire child, not just a focus on their academic learning. Study after study supports that allowing kids to express their mental health needs, and employing dedicated resources to attend to them, improves academic performance among a myriad of other benefits. I believe that there needs to be a multi-faceted approach towards improving student mental health. One would be to make sure the the district has enough training and resources to assist students and families. Another would be to work towards an inclusive, supportive culture within the schools and in the larger community so those that are having struggles will not feel isolated, ashamed, or reluctant to ask for help. Creating a culture of acceptance and awareness around mental and emotional health, and allowing kids to safely engage in these discussions as they grow, is foundational to this goal.
My vision for the district would one where our community would have a healthy relationship based on open communication and collaboration between the district, board, FHPS families, and community members. I see it as a place where all students and their families should feel safe, accepted, and included. I believe that if we work towards these ideals, Forest Hills Public Schools will live up to its mission of providing all learners with opportunities to acquire the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to build meaningful and productive lives.
The following are links to individuals and organizations that have endorsed me
as a candidate for FHPS Board of Education.
I am proud to announce that I have been endorsed by the Michigan Education Association (MEA) and the Forest Hills Education Association (FHEA) and the Support FHPS organization.
Shawn Colley for Forest Hills Public Schools 