Board of Directors

Michelle Higgins, Chair
Community Member
Term ends: 06/30/2027
mhiggins@spcsmn.org

Michelle has more than 30 years of experience in various areas of education, primarily advocating for equity for under-resourced children. She is currently the Executive Director of Rebuilding the Village, a non-profit that provides out of school time programming for youth, and support resources for parents and families.

Michelle is a lifelong resident of the Frogtown and Rondo communities. She loves spending time with her granddaughter, teaching her what it means to be a member of “the Village”. She also enjoys art, reading, spending time in nature, and hanging out with her many rescue pets.

 

Amy Barber, Secretary
Teacher Member
Term Ends: 6/30/2027
abarber@spcsmn.org

Amy has been teaching Art at St. Paul City School for 17 years. She earned her BA in Art Education at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, WI and her MA in Social Work at St. Catherine/St. Thomas. In addition to having her teaching license, Amy is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She uses these skills to implement an SEL based art curriculum in her K-12 Art Program.

Amy loves being in the art room and seeing all of the ways our St. Paul City School students can be creative!

When not teaching Amy enjoys being outside, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

 

Sheila Williams Ridge
Community Member
Term ends: 06/30/2027
swilliamsridge@spcsmn.org

Sheila is the Co-Director of the Child Development Laboratory School at the University of Minnesota. She also teaches the course: Nature-Based Learning in Early Childhood. Sheila is currently taking courses towards an Ed. D. in Education Leadership. She is co-author of the book, Nature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Budget, published by Redleaf Press and is passionate about encouraging nature-based play and the lasting developmental benefits of a relationship between children and nature.

In her free time, she enjoys hiking, photography, camping, cooking, and gardening.

Sheila connected with SPCS through a colleague and was so impressed by the collaborative style of leadership, the deep investment in children's wellbeing and development, and the overall inclusive and accessible feel of the school community.

Nathan Turner, Treasurer
Teacher Member
Term Ends: 6/30/2027
nturner@spcsmn.org

Born and raised in the Rondo community, Turner has more than two decades of experience teaching students through innovative, experiential learning models in Atlanta, New York City, and New Orleans. Turner is especially interested in uplifting and including student and youth voices in the decision-making processes that will ultimately impact the urban areas where they will live out their lives.

Turner is a Social Studies teacher at St. Paul City High School.

 

Kayla Swanson
Community Member
Term Ends: 6/30/2027
kswanson@spcsmn.org

 

Ashia Miller
Parent Member
Term Ends: 6/30/2027
amiller@spcsmn.org

Board Liaison Positions – NonVoting Members

karl jentoft

Financial Advisor, The Ten Square Group
Ex officio, nonvoting member
karl@thetensquaregroup.com

benjamin magras

Executive Director
Ex officio, nonvoting member
bmagras@spcsmn.org

Board Documents

Board Meeting Schedule


Our monthly school board meetings are held from 5:00-6:30 pm at St. Paul City School’s Media Center.

Address: 215 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55103

  • Weds. July 31, 2024 (Special Meeting)

  • Mon. August 12, 2024 (Emergency Meeting)

  • Tues. August 20, 2024

  • Tues. September 17, 2024

  • Tues. October 15, 2024

  • Mon. November 19, 2024

  • Tues. December 17, 2024

  • Tues. January 21, 2025

  • Tues. February 18, 2025

  • Tues. March 18, 2025

  • Tues. April 15, 2025

  • Tues. May 20, 2025

  • Mon. June 17, 2025

BOARD Minutes and Agendas