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St. John's Episcopal School

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Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees at St. John’s Episcopal School is a dedicated team of current and past parents, parishioners of St. John’s Episcopal Church, and community members. They form a vision, develop strategies, and determine tactics in order to fulfill the mission of the School both short- and long-term. They are also responsible for employing the head of school, securing the School’s resources, and setting policy. Guided by strong by-laws and best practices in independent school governance, the Board functions primarily through standing committees and task forces.

Officers

The following trustees were elected by the Board at their May meeting to serve as officers for the 2023-24 academic year.

  • President – Amy Hofland
  • Vice President – Rea Foster
  • Treasurer – Jennifer Sharpe
  • Secretary – Scott Parks
  • Parliamentarian – Wilson Schoellkopf

2023 – 2024 Trustees

New Trustees

In 2023-24, the Board welcomes the following new members:
  • Fr. Oliver Butler is a residential realtor, school chaplain, and alumni parent. He was a full-time chaplain for Pre-K-12 and K-8 Episcopal schools, and he understands Episcopal Identity and its various expressions and complications that can exist from mission differences. As a priest for nearly 20 years, he will bring both pastoral and educational perspectives to the Board.
     
  • Cheryl Caldwell is the Managing Director - Attest Professional Standards Representative for Advisory Quality and Risk Services. She has extensive knowledge of the Audit Risk Management and Audit Training industry, and she has been a financial analyst. Her volunteer activities at St. John's include serving on the Audit Committee, Carnival committee, and various activities to assist with Games Day, Book Fair, and Class Parties, among others. Additionally, she is actively involved in Boy Scouts of America. She is an alumna parent to Adam '22. 
     
  • Steve Galbreath is the Chief Development Officer and Head of Design & Construction for Garfield Public/Private LLC where he leads design efforts, manages clients, project and office financials, and oversees employees. In the community, he has served on several committees for his family's church and served on a number of hospitality- and design-industry boards and publications. Steve is a current parent of a seventh grader and a second grader.
     
  • Sam Leake is the Vestry Board Trustee as nominated by the St. John's Episcopal Church Rector. He is a small business owner and actively involved in the community serving as a neighborhood patrol volunteer, on the SJEC Vestry, Dallas Children's Advocacy Center volunteer, Jubilee Park volunteer, and Rotary Club member. He is an alumni parent to William '17 and Charlie '18 and has remained actively involved at St. John's as a substitute teacher. 
     
  • Lynn Nolen is a private educational consultant, academic therapist, and study coach. Throughout her career in education, she has served as an administrator and a teacher at several independent schools including Dean Learning Center, The Shelton School, The Hockaday School, and Providence Hall. She has worked with students of all ages and led colleagues and parents into a better understanding of the learning process for all types of learning profiles.
     
  • Kassidy Opitz is the 2023-24 Parents Association President and the mother of three students who are in eighth, fourth, and second grades. Kassidy will serve a one-year ex officio term.
     
  • Robert Shive is a real estate investor and an alumni parent to three children: Jordan '09, Gentry '10, and Landry '14. He has stayed connected to the School since his children graduated and is currently a member of the Education and Student Life Committee. In 2001, he founded the Booster Club and served as its president through 2009. Additionally, he has served community organizations including the White Rock YMCA YGuides, ESD WORX, and St. Philips Episcopal School in a variety of leadership roles. 
     
  • Katherine Stenesen is the Chief Development Officer for the Perot Museum of Natures and Science. She has extensive experience in fundraising and donor development for organizations where she has participated in the planning and execution of three major campaigns focused on programmatic, capital, and endowment fundraising. Prior to her current role, she was the Chief Development Officer for United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and Director of Donor Relations for Southern Methodist University. Katherine has two children at St. John's who are in the eighth and third grades.

Standing Committees

Much of the Board of Trustees' work is completed in committees and task forces. Standing committees focus on key, ongoing or administrative matters and allow the Board to fulfill its oversight role. A task force is designed to focus on a particular issue or initiative and typically disbands once its task is complete. Members for both include trustees, parents and community members. Please contact the Board president if you are interested in participating on a Board committee or task force.

Special Committees