- Decatur Public Schools District #61
- Decatur Public Schools Foundation
Decatur Public Schools Foundation
Foundation Board of Trustees
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“The importance of a public school education cannot be overstated. I believe a public education provides our young citizens with a sound academic foundation, an exposure to diversity, lifelong friends, and perhaps most importantly in these times, the ability to think clearly and independently. It is for these reasons that I am pleased to serve on the Foundation board.” — Judge Tom Little
The Decatur Public Schools Foundation owes its existence to the foresight of our original stakeholders. They recognized that public schools across the country were facing financial challenges that would only grow more daunting. They established the Foundation and defined its mission to organize private resources in support of District #61. Reviewing the list of past Trustees reveals why our organization has been so successful. The roster includes individuals who are fully devoted to this community and who remain active participants in charting its future. We’re proud to count such individuals as friends and continual advisors.
2022-2023 Board of Trustees
Name Foundation Role Professional Affiliation Dr. Rochelle Clark Trustee Superintendent, Decatur Public Schools Jennifer Cunningham Trustee VP of Human Resources, ADM Drew Early Trustee President & CEO, Decatur Memorial Hospital Nikki Garry Vice Chair Director of BIPOC Student Support, Millikin University Evyonne Hawkins Chair Professor of Education, Richland Community College Caleb Jump Trustee Wealth Management Director, Northwestern Mutual Myung Kim Trustee Retired, Tate & Lyle Regan Lewis Trustee Brown, Hay & Stephens, LLP; DPS Board of Education Shondra Lynch Trustee VP Private Wealth Advisor, Busey Wealth Management Dan Oakes Trustee Retired, DPS Board of Education Theresa Rutherford Trustee President & CEO, HSHS St. Mary's Hospital Chelsea Sargeant Trustee Supply Chain Management, Caterpillar Kathy Thompson Secretary Retired, Decatur Public Schools Adrian Walker Trustee IL Department of Natural Resources John Weber Treasurer Wells Fargo Advisors Zach Shields Executive Director Decatur Public Schools Foundation New Trustees are nominated, evaluated and approved for admission by current Board of Education members, with input from active prior members and founding directors. Trustees are elected to three-year terms which can be renewed once, for a total service tenure of six years.
Past Foundation Trustees
In chronological order of service
Peggy Madden, Jeff Black, John Cobb, Adele Glenn, Jane Johnson, Kim Leftwich, Bill Oliver, Dr. Bill Requarth, Bob Smith, Tom Swartz, Dr. Ken Arndt, Jackie Goetter, Monica Hawkins, Pat Laegeler, Cindy Neff, Chris Olsen, John Hedges, Helen Miller, Mac McPherson, Keith Casteel, Craig Huss, Duane Noland, Marilyn Davis, Ruth Cortright, Gary Likins, Gary McElfresh, Richard Demirjian, Alida Graham, Wole Adeoye, John Funk, Mike Gibson, Jan Mandernach, Lisa Holder White, Gloria J. Davis, Janis Kirby, Dave Butts, Jason Small, Lucy Smith, Tom Binder, Jim Forrester, Wendy Morthland, Brian Byers, T.J. Jackson, Jan Kelsheimer, Ron Pulera, Dan Winter, Tiffany Lukis, Stephen Pyle, Val Talley, Shirley Kistler, Dave Weber, Larry Altenbaumer, Shelith Hansbro, Daetta Jones, Brian Hodges, Lisa Taylor, Ryan McCrady, Sherri Perkins, Dr. Todd Werpy, Amy Chronister Ridley, Judge Tom Little, Michael Allen, Sue Pilling, Regan Andreas Deering, Paul Fregeau, Bobbi Williams, Kim Hurm
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Wish to support the mission of the Decatur Public Schools Foundation? Our Trustees connect your gift to those of other supporters to make a tremendous impact on our city's classrooms. You can check out our menu of specific options to contribute, or simply make a general gift for unrestricted use by the Foundation across a range of educational activities.Every contribution is 100% tax-deductible. Provide your contact information and our office will generate a Thank You letter for your records.
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The Decatur Public Schools Foundation is a privately-funded, tax-exempt organization. Its mission is to acquire and distribute resources to Decatur Public Schools to enhance, enrich, and encourage learning opportunities for its students, staff, and community. It is directed by a volunteer Board of Trustees and operates independently to generate financial and in-kind support for District #61.