Vicksburg School District voters will elect three trustees to six-year terms and one trustee to a term ending December 31, 2030. Two candidates, Heather Zemitans and incumbent Jaime Buikema, are running for the shorter term. The remaining six, running for the full term, are Kurt Classen, Michael Fry, Lucas Hillard, Kat Miller and incumbents David Schriemer and Stephanie Willoughby. Board members are paid $30 per meeting.
Jaime Buikema
When Jennifer and I were searching for a place to live in Southwest Michigan 15 years ago, we chose Vicksburg because it reminded us both of the best parts of where we grew up. Now, we are both thankful and proud to call Vicksburg our home. I am running for the VCS Board of Education because I want to make sure that every student has the opportunity to succeed and each family can be proud to call Vicksburg their home, too.
I bring to the Board an engineering degree from Hope College and 14 years of leadership and operations experience from my career at MANN+HUMMEL. My career has taught me the importance of listening to all stakeholders and working as a team while measuring results, finding practical solutions to complex problems, and making difficult decisions.
I currently have three children in the district and experience our schools from all levels – elementary, middle and high school. I believe our schools have so much to be proud of including strong academics, an incredible group of teachers and support staff, and the right vision.
As a board member I would focus on the following areas: Safe and Supportive Schools; Academic Excellence; Future Readiness; Engagement and belonging; Community Alignment and Trust.
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Michael Fry
I’m a proud graduate of Vicksburg Community Schools. After high school, I served in the Marine Corps as a Signals Intelligence Analyst for more than 13 years where I deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2019, I returned to Vicksburg with my wife and our two children to plant roots back on the family farm. I currently serve as the Criminal Intelligence Manager at the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety where I primarily work homicides, violent crimes, and sex crimes. After returning to Michigan, I’ve passionately advocated for our local veterans and their families while serving in several leadership positions with the Kalamazoo County Veterans Affairs Committee and the Marine Corps League. My Christian faith has forged me into a public servant who believes in building strong partnerships and collaborating with others to deliver results. In 2024, I was honored to be recognized as the Kalamazoo County Veteran of the Year. Moreover, I’m fully invested in Vicksburg Community Schools. My wife is an elementary school teacher in the school district; furthermore, both of our children attend Vicksburg schools. Student outcomes and their well-being are my top priority. I look forward to serving our community on the Vicksburg School Board.
Lucas Hillard
I am a 1999 graduate of Vicksburg High School and have spent the past 15 years deeply involved with Vicksburg Community Schools as a parent, volunteer, advocate, and leader. As the parent of three VCS students, I have experienced firsthand the impact these schools have on families and the importance of providing every student the opportunity to succeed and thrive.
I have served as President of the Sunset Lake PTSO, Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation, and Vicksburg Athletic Boosters. These experiences have taught me to listen, bring people together, manage competing priorities, solve problems, and turn ideas into action. My community service also includes South County Fire, Battle Creek Firefighters IAFF Local 335, and the Vicksburg Lions Club.
I am running for school board because I believe VCS deserves leadership that listens, asks difficult questions, considers every perspective, and makes decisions based on what is best for all students. I will work to support our dedicated staff, strengthen our schools, and address areas that need improvement while building on what already makes this district special.
Students First is not simply a campaign slogan. It represents 15 years of showing up, getting involved, and serving this community. It will guide every decision I make—every day, always.
Kurt Classen
I am a Professor of Communication at Grace Christian University and have experience as a sports broadcaster, public speaker, and collegiate athletic coach. I currently serve on the Vicksburg Little League Board as well as the ChapNaz Church Board. My students know me as a creative and bold teacher who cares deeply about their educational goals.
I have been an elementary teacher’s spouse for over twelve years and understand how hard teachers work and how much support they need. My wife is a teacher in the district, and both my children attend in-district. You can often find me on career day at Indian Lake Elementary teaching the younger grades how to plan for college by using fun and creative presentations.
One of my favorite places to be is out coaching on the Vicksburg Little League fields with my family. I recently helped assistant coach the 8-10-year-old All-Star Team that won the district championship. I am passionate about teaching the young athletes I coach about character, teamwork, and winning and losing with grace.
My Christian faith and my character are extremely important to me. I look forward to serving the community on the Vicksburg School Board.
Kat Miller
My name is Kat Miller, and I am excited to run for the Vicksburg Community Schools Board of Education.
My husband and I have been proud Vicksburg residents since 2007. He was born and raised here and is a 1989 graduate of Vicksburg High School. Our two daughters also graduated from Vicksburg High School. We are deeply rooted in this community and care about its future.
I believe in Christian values. I also believe in the people of Vicksburg. I have seen our schools succeed and where we have fallen short. While helping in the 2024 school board election, I listened to many residents. I heard a shared desire to raise test scores and reverse declining enrollment—something we cannot simply blame on COVID.
If elected, I will focus on full transparency, strong relationships with our teachers and paraprofessionals, and the support they need so every student can succeed. I believe in respect, open communication, and thoughtful conversations when they are needed.
If our community wants thoughtful change and steady leadership, I would be honored to serve as one of your next school board members.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. God bless you and our Vicksburg school district.
David Schriemer
I retired in 2024 as a Family Physician in Vicksburg, providing free sports physicals and kindergarten screenings, during my 35 year career here. Our three children all attended and graduated from Vicksburg Community Schools(VCS). I continue to be present in the schools as a Kids Hope mentor at Sunset Lake, a history resource at VMS, and a Strive mentor at VHS. I served one term on the VCS Foundation board. I have been on the school board since 2006 and its President since 2024. I am on the Vicksburg Foundation(VF) board.
Our community and my family have benefitted greatly from excellent schools. We must maintain that excellence and continue to improve and adapt. We must recruit and retain superior educators. We must use tax dollars wisely. We have improved transparency and always seek to communicate better. Safety is paramount. With our recent bond we will improve the safety of our elementary school entrances. We have emphasized setting and enforcing behavior expectations to reduce internal threats. We have made significant improvements in HS offerings from fine arts, AP classes, athletics, robotics, CTE classes and foreign language proficiency certification. We want to maximize the success and potential of each student.
Stephanie Willoughby
Hello Vicksburg! I am Stephanie Willoughby, and I am running for re-election to the Vicksburg School Board. I am a parent of two Vicksburg graduates, and I have a senior this year. You may remember me as Mrs. W when I worked at the Vicksburg District Library, where I loved visiting our schools, reading to children, and leading book clubs. Today, I coordinate family programs at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum. I am also a proud band mom and serve as president of the Vicksburg Band Boosters.
I have grown so much over the past six years serving on the School Board. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has always been worthwhile. I am proud of my work on the Policy Committee and helping update policies to better support our students, teachers, and staff. I have also valued building relationships with our families, teachers, and staff.
I hope to be re-elected and continue working with a great team that cares deeply about our students. I will continue working to keep students safe, address bullying and inappropriate behavior, strengthen communication with our community, and provide careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
Every student should feel safe, respected, and welcome. Bullying, harassment, and discrimination have no place in our schools.
My three “Rs” are: Respect. Responsibility. Results.
Thank you for your votes and support!
Heather Zemitans
My name is Heather Zemitans, and I’m honored to be running for the Vicksburg Community School Board. My family has 19 years of history in the community, with two Vicksburg graduates and a fourth grader currently at Tobey. I’ve seen firsthand the strengths of our schools and the areas where meaningful improvement is needed.
As a nurse for 12 years, I’ve built strong skills in communication, critical thinking, teamwork, and staying calm when important decisions matter — qualities that support responsible board service. I hold traditional values and expectations, including accountability, respect, and consistency. I believe that implementing these values will allow teachers and students to feel supported and stay focused on improving educational outcomes.
My priorities include improving academic success for students by promoting classroom structure, more available resources, and safe learning environments. I’m committed to supporting teachers and staff, ensuring focus on teaching and student growth with clear expectations and consistent follow-through.
Many community members feel unheard by the current board. I will work to strengthen parental involvement, transparency, and trust between families, administrators, and the board.
Vicksburg is a strong district, and I’m committed to listening, learning, and working together to help it continue to grow and thrive.
