Trustee Crystal Stuart (far right) presented grant funds to Elizabeth Burke and Dr. Ginger Jones at Salina South in 2024.

 Board of Trustees
 Austin Hoppock, Chair
 Darla Hassler, Vice-chair
 Crystal Stuart, Treasurer
 Julie Richardson, Secretary
 Bonnie Welty, Past Chair
 
 Samantha Angell
 Tim Blake
 Megan Dupy
 Jim Fletcher
 Gabe Grant
 Jeff Maes
 Lisa Mahler
 Michelle Peck                                                                                           
 Erin Smith
 Tiffany Snyder
 Jacob Yarochowicz

 Kate Lindsay, Executive Director
 Linn Exline, Superintendent, Ex-officio

Board of Trustees Bios

Samantha Angell is a native of Hays, Kansas. She graduated from the                                        University of New Mexico in 1995, with a BA in political science. She obtained her law degree with honors, from Washburn University in 1999. Samantha has been very active in the Salina community. She previously served on the Board of the Salina Community Theatre, the Salina Area United Way, Salina Youth Care, Kansas Legal Services, and the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce.  She was a member of the Noon Network AMBUCS,  serving as its president from 2005-2006. She was also appointed to serve on the City of Salina Disciplinary Review Board from 2001-2007. She was elected to the City Commission from 2009-2013. She is currently on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Board of Indigent Defense Services.  


Tim Blake is a graduate of Salina South High School and is owner of Hickory Hut Barbecue.  Tim and his wife, Shelly (Laubhan) Blake, only recently moved back to Salina to raise their three boys after living in the Kansas City area for 15 years.  Tim comes to the SEF board with extensive experience in money management and financial planning. 


Megan Dupy graduated from Missouri State University with a degree in elementary education. She taught in USD 305 as well as the Shawnee Mission school district. She is originally from Minnesota, and she's from a family of educators. Her mother, father, and brother are all former or current teachers. Her husband, David, is a Salina native and a graduate of South High School. They have three children, Ryan, Anna, and Caleb, and have made Salina their home for the past 10 years. In her spare time, you can find her on the golf course. 


Jim Fletcher is a native of Salina, KS, and a 1993 Salina South High School graduate. He graduated from Salina Area Tech (Refrigeration) and has spent his life in Salina. Jim attended Kansas Wesleyan University and studied business. He is proud to be a Salinan. He and his wife, Christine have raised four children in Salina. Jim operates a local insurance agency, focused on employee benefits and operates Wyatt Training,  a professional training service. He is in his second term on the USD 305 School Board. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Gabe Grant is a Salina Central High School graduate and the owner of Heritage Real Estate Advisors, LLC. Since 2018, he has served as an elected member of the Salina Public Schools Board of Education. Gabe moved back to Salina in 2013 with his dog, Jethro. He enjoys calling Salina his home. A product of Salina Public Schools, he knows first-hand the amazing work being done every day in our buildings by fantastic faculty and staff. He is excited to support them through his work on the Board of Education and on the SEF Board of Trustees.  


Linn Exline, Superintendent of USD 305, serves as an ex officio member of the Board of Trustees. During Superintendent Exline's 26 years at USD 305, she has served as Executive Director of School Improvement, South High principal, Central High assistant principal, Director of Staff Development and Accreditation, elementary principal and teacher, and K-12 Curriculum Specialist.


Darla Hassler is a Salina native and taught for 11 years in USD 305 before deciding to be a stay-at-home mom to her two daughters. During her years teaching, Darla had the opportunity to teach every grade level. Her career began at Central High School teaching English, then she served as an Art teacher traveling to different buildings, working with students from first to eighth grades. She taught art at the Salina Montessori School working with kindergartners and taught "Art for the Elementary Teacher" at Kansas Wesleyan. She is excited to be part of Salina Education Foundation so that she may continue to champion teachers and students. Darla and her husband have two daughters, Ruby at South High and Maisy at South Middle. 


Austin Hoppock was born and raised in Salina. He graduated from South High School. After graduating from Fort Hays State University, he moved back to Salina. In 2015, he joined the family business at Land Title Services. Austin and his wife, Lisa enjoy Salna and are passionate about making it a better place to live. With 10 nieces and nephews, and with family working in USD 305, it is important to see that classrooms have what they need to succeed. Austin served six years on the Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank board of directors. He is also past president of Salina Area Young Professionals and is on the board for Salina's First Tee. Austin's father, Mike is a past board member with Salina Education Foundation.  


Kate Lindsay, Executive Director Kate is familiar with Salina  Public Schools, having previously taught theatre at Salina High School South for 35 years. She grew up in Brookville and graduated from Marymount College. In 2016, she joined the Salina Teacher Leadership Academy, where she received her master's in educational leadership from Kansas State University. She has been active in the Salina community by supporting organizations such as Theatre Salina, Women Helping Women, CAPS, and The Smoky Hill River Festival. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends & family, seeing theatre productions (Salina to NYC), a good Wordle score, and beautiful Kansas sunsets.


Jeff Maes is a native of Salina having graduated from Sacred Heart High School. He is the principal owner of ComPro Realty, a regional real estate firm specializing in commercial real estate development, brokerage, and property management. He, his wife Stacie, and son Maximus have been back in Salina since 2005, with Maximus graduating from USD 305 class of 2024. Prior to moving back to Salina, Jeff was the COO of a holding company headquartered in Kansas City focusing in the Healthcare space. Jeff has served in the community on the Salina Airport Authority with a term as Chairperson, the Salina Chamber of Commerce again with a term as Chairperson, and served for over ten years on the Salina Community Health Center and Salina Health Education Foundation.

Lisa Mahler has been an English teacher at Salina High School South for her entire career. She has earned her BA in English and BA in Secondary Education from the University of Missouri in Kansas City. She has earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction and a second master’s degree in educational leadership from K-State. She is currently beginning her doctoral program. Lisa has volunteered in the community for many years in various capacities and currently serves on the Salina Public Library board. Lisa is a proud mother to 3 amazing children who are all enrolled in USD 305 schools. Lisa strives to support children, education, and the Salina community.


Michelle Peck is the Executive Director of The Garage. She has over seventeen years of experience in philanthropic advising.  Michelle graduated in 2002 from Kansas State University with her Bachelors in Secondary Education Business.  She taught for USD 305 in 2002 at Salina South High School. Michelle has also taught Leadership Salina for the past 10 years.  She and her husband Aaron own and operate BEL Tree Farm. They have two children, Adia and Noah Peck, who attend Lakewood Middle School.  Michelle currently serves on the Salina Rotary Board of Directors and enjoys playing tennis in her free time.


Julie Richardson was raised in Inman, KS, graduating from Emporia State University with degrees in Business administration and Marketing. She has been active in many roles within the Salina community for over 30 years. Julie is the Co-Owner of Reflections Retirement Resort Independent and Assisted Living Community. She has her state Administrator's license and truly enjoys assisting seniors in the Salina community to enjoy the next exciting chapters in their lives. Julie and her husband (Brian) also own and manage multiple mixed-use properties in Kansas. Julie has spent many years in the accountant role for a local church and the couple's own business interests. Julie and Brian have raised three children in Salina: Jera, Brogen, and Brooks. When Julie is not enjoying her work, you will likely find her somewhere spending time with her family.


Erin Smith, an optometrist at Drs. Driver and Clark, has been practicing in Salina for the past 10 years. She graduated from Texas A&M University and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Science with a minor in Spanish. She attended the University of Houston College of Optometry and graduated in 2011. Her husband, Brandon, is a Salina native and graduated from South High School. Erin and Brandon have two sons, Sam and Oliver. Sam attends Meadowlark Ridge Elementary School. Erin serves as the secretary of the Building Blocks Preschool Board, is a member of Salina Charities League, and is a past member of the Noon Network AMBUCS.


Tiffany Snyder is originally from Linn, KS but has lived in Salina since 1999. She graduated from Bethany College with her BA in Elementary and Special Education. She attended
 St. Mary’s University and received a Master’s in curriculum and instruction; she attended Baker University and received her Master’s in School Leadership and then her doctorate in Educational Leadership.  She started her teaching career in USD 305 and has held various positions. Tiffany has been with the district for 25 years and is currently the Director of Recruitment and Retention.  She has three children. Destinee and Karsen are both in the workforce and her youngest, Kaden, is a sophomore at Salina Central.  She enjoys attending sporting events and spending time with family and friends in her free time. 


Crystal Stuart and her husband Ryan have called Salina home for nearly two decades. Following graduation from Bethany College, she worked for USD 305 in the business office before choosing to work from home to raise her sons. She works remotely from her home for Signature Personal Insurance LLC, based out of Roeland Park. Ryan is an assistant principal at South High. Crystal comes from a family of public education supporters and is delighted to join the Salina Education Foundation and continue to support and promote USD 305's positive impact in our community.  


Bonnie Welty retired from USD 305 after spending 32 years in public education. She spent the last five years as principal at Lakewood Middle School and was a principal in the Shawnee Mission district before coming to Salina. Bonnie taught health and physical education in Shawnee Mission, Wichita, and Newton school districts. Bonnie is an adjunct professor at Kansas Wesleyan University in the education department. She officiates high school volleyball and enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.  


Jacob Yarochowicz was born and raised in Salina. He attended  Coronado Elementary, South Middle, and is a graduate of Salina South where his Mom, Cathy has taught PE/Health for the past 29 years. He graduated from Kansas State in 2020 with a degree in finance. He works for BeWealth in Salina as a Financial Advisor. In his free time, he is either on the golf course or at the gym.