Board of Directors
The board meets monthly during the school year from 5:00–7:00 p.m. We will call special meetings and summer meetings as needed, and all meetings will be posted on our calendar page. See side panel for past meeting agendas and minutes. Meetings are open to the public. Members of the public wishing to comment at a Board meeting may sign up here in advance of any regularly scheduled meeting.
Steve Voerding
Board Chair
Northern Lights Parent
steve.v@schoolofnorthernlights.org
Sallie
Harris
Board Treasurer
Finance Committee Chair
Northern Lights Teacher
sallie.h@schoolofnorthernlights.org
Maureen Martin
Board Member
Northern Lights Parent
maureen.m@schoolofnorthernlights.or
Rachel
Mass
Board Vice-Chair
Governance Committee Chair
Northern Lights Parent
rachel.m@schoolofnorthernlights.org
Jennifer Newman
Board Member
Middle School Task Force Chair
Northern Lights Parent
jenn.n@schoolofnorthernlights.org
Lori
Spahn
Board Member
Northern Lights Parent & Teacher
lori.s@schoolofnorthernlights.org
Tom
Hagler
Board Member
Facilities Committee Chair
Northern Lights Parent
tom.h@schoolofnorthernlights.org
Lisa
Nelson
Board Secretary
Advancement Committee Chair
Northern Lights Parent
lisa.n@schoolofnorthernlights.org
Jessica Clifton
Board Member
Equity Committee Chair
Northern Lights Parent
jessica.c@schoolofnorthernlights.org
Mark Knox-Ova
Board Member
Northern Lights Community Member
mark.ko@schoolofnorthernlights.org
Michael Harrison
Board Member
Northern Lights Community Member
michael.h@schoolofnorthernlights.org
Board committees
St. Paul School of Northern Lights Board has the following committees:
Committee work can be a great way to get involved! Please contact a board member to learn more.
Board Meeting Agendas
Board Meeting Minutes
Board policies
Board By Laws
Financial Audits
Founding Story
Reba Batalden, Christina Sheu, and Anna Kudak met in an Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) class guided by Lani Shapiro. Through this experience, the founders were immersed in Reggio-inspired learning. The founders first gathered in December 2016 and found inspiration in the schools of Reggio-Emilia inception story. After the devastation of World War II, the women of Reggio-Emilia decided to improve their community’s educational system to ensure another generation would not be duped by fascism as they had been. This fundamentally political act reshaped their community, and the board of SPSNL intends to build a high performing charter school with the same potential for equitable outcomes for all learners.
The board is not alone in this vision. Community leaders throughout St. Paul resonated with the mission of SPSNL, and a large cadre of supporters and volunteers are dedicated to its success.
The governance model at SPSNL begins with a well trained and informed board of directors that will ensure the advancement of the school’s mission and vision. We are committed to openness and transparency as we begin our school. We welcome your comments, questions, support and feedback as we engage in this important work.