ABOUT ME
Aaron Kelly
MY BEGINNINGS...
I grew up in Southern California in a blue collar family where I spent time playing sports, participating in plays and musicals, enjoying the mountains and beaches with friends, and learning how to be a part of and give back to the community. In the late 1990's I transferred to Rockford College, now Rockford University, where I met my incredible wife and started my life in the midwest.
My dedication to the District 300 and Hampshire communities runs deep. My wife, a proud alumna of Hampshire schools, shares a family legacy spanning 70 years in Hampshire. Our son is a student in District 300 and we are excited for the newest generation to continue his journey in the Hampshire schools.
When I was a teenager I was told to always "Remember Who You Are and Why You're Here". Those words have guided me ever since then and are a reminder to me everyday to try and do the right thing, no matter how hard it may be. I believe one of the reasons I am here is to serve my community and to make a positive impact in the lives of those around me.
Thank you for taking this journey with me and for your support as I run for the CUSD 300 Board of Education.
MY HISTORY OF SERVICE
I’ve been passionate about community service and leadership for over 20 years. My journey began at the age of 16 when I volunteered as an umpire for local Little League games. Since then, I've held various Little League leadership roles, including serving as President of Hampshire Little League (which became Northwest Little League) and continuing today as Assistant District Administrator for Little League District 13, where we support over 10 leagues, including Northwest, Huntley, and Tri-Cities Little Leagues.
In 2011, I was elected as a Trustee for the Hampshire Township Park District Board. During my eight years of service, four as President of the Board, we expanded the Little People Playtime preschool building so we could offer daycare services, additional preschool programs, and a professional kitchen to provide nutritious meals. Multiple grants were received to improve the facilities for the community. These improvements have enriched the lives of children and families throughout the community by ensuring access to early childhood education opportunities. We also received grants to improve Bruce Ream Park which expanded the potential uses for the park.
Then, in 2019 I was elected to be a Trustee for the Village of Hampshire and where I still serve today. During my time on the Village Board I’ve chaired multiple committees including Public Service, Public Relations, and the Budget committee, which I currently chair. I’ve also served as a member of the Liquor Commission and the Business Development Commission. I’m a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility, community engagement, and transparency in decision-making. Through my experience and education I’ve gained a deep understanding of government budgets, referendums, intergovernmental agreements and long term strategic planning. I believe that elected officials should prioritize the needs of their constituents over personal interests, that we achieve the greatest good when we work together collaboratively, and that we should alway strive to improve the lives of those we serve. We achieve so much more when we work with each other no matter what “side of the aisle” we may align with. Board of Education candidates run as non-partisan candidates and I truly believe that we should serve our community in the same way. Personal politics should not get in the way of serving our entire community.
Beyond my public service, I bring valuable insights from my professional and educational background. I’ve earned a Bachelor of Science from Rockford University and a MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. With a background in tech, I know first hand how technology can drive efficiency, foster meaningful connections and provide tools necessary to empower our students to achieve great things. I also know that we need to be thoughtful and careful when considering the use of various technologies such as when to introduce technology in the students learning journey and considerations on how and when to allow AI into the classroom.
I’m committed to continuing my service and contributing to the growth and prosperity of our vibrant community. I invite you to join me on my mission to create a brighter future for CUSD 300. Together, WE can build a stronger, more united community for current and future generations.