Re-Elect Aarie Wade For GRPS School Board

Hello, I’m Aarie Wade, Vice President of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education and proud member of this community. I live here, I work here, I was educated here, and I see—every single day—how deeply our schools shape the lives of our children and families.

I believe public education is one of the strongest tools we have to create opportunity, stability, and hope. Over the past term, I’ve worked to center what matters most: students first. That means advocating for high-quality education, pushing for transparency and accountability, and making sure every decision we make is grounded in what’s best for our communities’ children and families—not politics, not pressure, but people.

Living, leading, and being deeply rooted on our city’s southeast side allows me to see our schools, our families, and our challenges up close.  It reminds me that board decisions don’t live on paper—they show up in classrooms, hallways, and homes. I hear parents asking for clarity. I hear educators asking for support. And I hear students asking—sometimes without words—to be seen, valued, and believed in.

Serving as Vice President of the Board has reinforced something I’ve always known: strong public schools are built through collaboration, trust, and courage. Courage to have hard conversations. Courage to protect students. And courage to lead with integrity, even when it’s uncomfortable.

I’m especially proud of the many accomplishments this far, but my work is not done.

We still need to ensure every child—regardless of zip code, background, or ability—has access to safe schools, excellent educators, and real opportunities to thrive. We need to keep building systems that work for families, not against them. And we need leadership that listens, learns, and leads with heart.

That is why I am running for re-election, because I believe in Grand Rapids Public Schools. I believe in our students. I’m running for re-election because our students, families, and educators deserve leadership that is present, principled, and unapologetic.

I ask for your support, your voice, and your vote as we continue this work—boldly, transparently, and with care.

Thank you. Let’s keep building the future our children deserve.