ELECT
CLAIRE HORLINGS TO THE FOREST HILLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS BOARD
ON NOVEMBER 3, 2026
A lifelong Forest Hills community member bringing thoughtful, student-centered, fiscally responsible leadership to the Board of Education
Meet Claire
Claire Horlings has called the Forest Hills Public Schools community home for more than four decades. She is a graduate of Forest Hills Central High School and her children are graduates of Forest Hills Eastern High School.Forest Hills is more than a school district to Claire—it's the community where she formed deep roots, lasting relationships and invested her time in supporting students, families and schools.Claire holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. She is the advocacy coordinator for AAAWM and brings experience in nonprofit fundraising, community engagement, and collaboration with people from diverse backgrounds.She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids and on several of its committees—Community Engagement, Membership and Programming. Her prior board leadership experience includes serving as Board Vice President and then President of the West Michigan Asian American Association.Claire has also served the Forest Hills Public Schools and the broader community through the FHPS District Success Team, Superintendent's Parent Advisory Committee, FHPS millage campaign, PTO leadership, school fundraising, mentoring, tutoring and nonprofit board service.
Strong Academics and Student Achievement
Every Forest Hills student deserves a strong academic foundation. Claire will support rigorous core instruction and evidence-based curriculum that builds the reading, writing, math, science, problem-solving, and communication skills students need for higher education, careers, and life.
Age-Appropriate Learning & Critical Thinking
Students should be challenged to think critically, solve problems, understand civic responsibilities, and engage respectfully with different ideas. Claire will support age-appropriate education that develops knowledge, confidence and resilience.
Parents and Community as Partners
Trust grows when school leaders communicate clearly and listen respectfully. Claire will advocate for transparent communication among the Board of Education, administration, teachers, parents, and the broader Forest Hills community. A strong supporter of parents' rights, Claire will listen and respond to all parent concerns.
Responsible budgeting and stewardship
Public schools must use taxpayer resources carefully and transparently. Claire will ask thoughtful questions, examine priorities, and support prudent budgeting that keeps student learning and classroom needs at the center of spending decisions.
PAID FOR BY THE COMMITTEE TO ELECT CLAIRE HORLINGS TO THE
FHPS BOARD OF EDUCATION