School Board Candidate Profile: Kath Edsall | ELi Archives

2024 Recipient Bios | East Lansing, MI - Official Website

Kath Edsall is from East Lansing, Michigan, where she still lives today with her wife and their 8 children. She holds a master of business administration degree and a doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from Michigan State University.  She serves as vice chair of the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission. 

Kath Edsall | City Pulse

Kath manages business with her wife, Alice. 

Edsall, DeLay to Run for City Council, Growing Field of Candidates ...

Kath currently serves as a member of the East Lansing Board of Education. She was first elected in 2013 and served for one term until 2017. She was re-elected in 2019 and is serving her third full term. She previously served as president of the school board. 

East Lansing City Council candidates share views, lansing city pulse

Plans to "look at the city’s finances holistically and with the entire community’s best interest in mind."

Plans to take a holistic approach to city finances with the community’s best interests in mind.

Plans to explore options to increase affordable housing in East Lansing.

Plans to explore ways to expand affordable housing in East Lansing. 

Said, "Our challenges include addressing budgetary shortfalls without adding to the tax burden of East Lansing residents... and increasing housing stock to address shortfalls and expand our tax base."

Sees closing budget gaps without raising taxes as a key challenge.

- Plans to take a holistic approach to city finances with the community’s best interests in mind.
- Plans to explore ways to expand affordable housing in East Lansing. 
- Sees closing budget gaps without raising taxes as a key challenge.

Economy

Sees creating a vibrant downtown that serves families and children while preserving a strong college experience a key challenge.

- Sees creating a vibrant downtown that serves families and children while preserving a strong college experience a key challenge.

Housing & Urban Development

As a school board member, approved hiring of a DEI & Social Justice Director, HR Director, and a safety and security team.

- As a school board member, approved hiring of a DEI & Social Justice Director, HR Director, and a safety and security team.

Public Safety

As of August 14, 2025, Kath Edsall’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Healthcare

As a school board member, passed two major bonds: an Elementary School Bond and a Safety, Security & Accessibility Bond.

Updated sex education curriculum to comply with state law and include LGBTQIA+ and disabled students.

Worked to reduce disparities in disciplinary policies.

Began addressing inequities related to protected class, race, and sexual status.

Wrote an inclusive policy on gender identity and expression

Supports preserving and expanding parks and recreation programming to enhance the community.

Wants to preserve and expand parks & recreation programs to strengthen and enhance the community.

Believes in collaborating with the City Manager to address the needs of the diverse community.

Wants to work with the City Manager to address community needs..

Sees expanding after-school programs beyond the public library for middle and high school students as a key challenge.

- As a school board member, passed two major bonds: an Elementary School Bond and a Safety, Security & Accessibility Bond.
- Updated sex education curriculum to comply with state law and include LGBTQIA+ and disabled students.
- Worked to reduce disparities in disciplinary policies.
- Began addressing inequities related to protected class, race, and sexual status.
- Wrote an inclusive policy on gender identity and expression
- Wants to preserve and expand parks & recreation programs to strengthen and enhance the community.
- Wants to work with the City Manager to address community needs..
- Sees expanding after-school programs beyond the public library for middle and high school students as a key challenge.

Public Services

Energy & the Environment

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Kath Edsall

Kath Edsall is from East Lansing, Michigan. She holds a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and a master of business administration from Michigan State University. She lives with her wife, Alice Parr, and their eight children in East Lansing.

Kath is currently a member of the East Lansing Board of Education. She has served on the board since 2019 and previously served from 2013 to 2017. She is also the vice chair of the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission, a position she has held since the commission's creation in 2021.

As of August 14, 2025, Kath Edsall did not have a website or any information online.

Supports addressing how police policies have historically harmed marginalized communities.

Kath Edsall is from East Lansing, Michigan. She has a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and a master 
's degree in business administration from Michigan State University. She lives with her partner, Alice Parr.

Kath is currently a member of the East Lansing Board of Education. She was first elected in 2013 and served until 2017. She was re-elected in 2019 and is currently serving her second term. She has also served as president of the board. Edsall is vice chair of the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission, a body she has served on since it was created in 2021.

Supports the establishment of the Independent Police Oversight Commission to enhance police accountability and community trust.

As vice chair of the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission, advocated for equitable policing and raised awareness of how police policies have historically harmed marginalized communities.

Kath Edsall is from East Lansing, Michigan. She has a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and an MBA from Michigan State University.

Kath is a veterinarian. She holds both a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine and an MBA from Michigan State University. 

Kath is currently a member of the East Lansing Board of Education. She was first elected in 2013 and served until 2017. She was re-elected in 2019 and is currently serving her second term. She has also served on the East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission since its creation in 2021 and is currently its vice chair.

Supports addressing how police policies have historically harmed communities of color, disabled people, and other marginalized groups.

- City council members in Michigan help make city-level laws, approve budgets, and oversee city services to serve the community’s needs. 
- Council members attend regular meetings, listen to public concerns, and vote on city issues like zoning, public safety, and spending. They also appoint and direct officials, like the city manager.
- City council members may be elected in partisan elections or nonpartisan elections, depending on the city. They may represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 
- Terms for city council members often last two or four years, depending on the city.