SCHOOL BOARD RESOURCES
BoardBook
Fern Ridge School District Board of Directors has implemented a process for “paperless” school board meetings. To view agendas, minutes and information for board meetings, click on the following and this will take you to the appropriate website. You will then be able to view information for board meetings.
FRSD BoardBook – School Board Meeting Minutes and Agendas
If the above process does not work for your computer, then copy and paste the following on your internet browser address line: https://meetings.boardbook.org/Public/Organization/1535
PUBLIC COMMENT INFORMATION
SCHOOL BOARD LINKS
School Board Meeting Schedule 2024-2025
School Board Meeting Recordings
Fern Ridge/School Board Operating Agreement
District Policies and Administrative Rules
SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS
 Kathleen PizzolaKathleen’s Bio Position 1 Elected 7/1/2023 Four-Year Term until: 6/30/27 541-935-2253 kpizzola@fernridge.k12.or.us |
 Andrea LarsonVice-Chair Andrea’s Bio Position 2 Joined: 2/2008 Four-Year Term until: 6/30/25 541-935-3738 alarson@fernridge.k12.or.us |
 Barbara GrahamBarbara’s Bio Position 3 Appointed: 11/2017 Four-Year Term until: 6/30/25 541-833-0351 bgraham@fernridge.k12.or.us |
 Mark BorenBoard Chair Mark’s Bio Position 4 Joined: 3/2017 Four-Year Term until: 6/30/25 541-520-1815 mboren@fernridge.k12.or.us |
 Lisa McCannLisa’s Bio Position 5 Elected 7/1/2023 Four-Year Term until: 6/30/27 541-935-2253 lmccann@fernridge.k12.or.us |
Board Member Bios
Andrea Larson:
I have been a FRSD board member since January, 2008, when I was appointed to fill a vacant position and have since been elected for three additional 4-year terms. I did not join the board because I had an agenda; I come from a family that believes strongly in being an active member of one’s community and believed that my educational and professional background would help me make a positive contribution.
I work for the University of Oregon in the Office of Institutional Research, an administrative unit that provides data and analyses for campus decision makers, as well as legislators, the media, and many other entities that want information about the UO and higher education in general. We are also responsible for all mandatory reporting to state and federal agencies and assist academic units with their mandatory reporting to their accrediting bodies, so I believe I have a good understanding of the amount of reporting that Oregon school districts are required to do, as well as the frustrations that go along with it, such as poorly communicated and ever-changing instructions and deadlines. I have worked in this office since 1998 when my husband and I relocated from Austin, Texas after I completed my graduate degree at the University of Texas (I have a master’s degree in developmental psychology). Prior to that, we lived in the Redding and Sacramento, California areas.
I grew up outside of Eagle River, Alaska, but graduated from high school in California after spending my junior and senior years recovering from the culture and temperature shock of moving from Alaska to one of the hottest places in the nation.
I have one child who attends Elmira High School, and she has been a student in the district since she started kindergarten at Veneta Elementary (in Mrs. Cutsforth’s inaugural year). A challenge that comes with being a school board member with a child in your district is having to walk a fine line between pushing for things that will benefit your child and being sure that those things are what are best for all of the children in the district. I believe that I have done a good job of doing this, and hope that those who know me would agree.
My mother was a high school English teacher, so I am very aware of how many hours teachers really put in, and actively challenge those who suggest differently. I believe that public K-12 educators are among the most underappreciated and important individuals in our society, and I am proud to be able to support the FRSD staff so that they can achieve excellence in providing our students with the quality education that will prepare them for full and successful lives.
I have spent time as a volunteer in the schools over the years and make every effort to attend events, performances, and fundraisers at every school. I am delighted by and extremely proud of our students and thank you for making it possible for me to serve them.
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Barbara Graham:
I am privileged to be mother to four awesome young men, two of which have graduated from Elmira High and two are attending FRMS. Since moving to Veneta in 2009, I’ve enjoyed raising my children in our community and I’m interested in supporting the efforts of our educators. I’m an only child, born and raised in Jamaica where I spent my first 22 years.
My journey to Oregon started 1997 in Miami, Florida, where I worked with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. In 2002, still supporting the cruise line, I transferred to Wichita, KS and in 2006, again transferred to Springfield, OR. In 2013, I resigned from the cruise line; however, within three months, figured out being a stay at home mom was not my calling.
I’m currently supporting GloryBee in the role of Senior Sales Manager. My studies include Bachelor of Science degrees in Criminal Justice and Business Administration. I’ve completed a Leadership Program through the Eugene-Springfield Chamber of Commerce Program. Over the years, I’ve supported a number of organization as a volunteer:
Eugene Police Department: I was responsible to process District Attorney’s Office Case Management email/requests for disposition to officers for the Property Control Unit.
Womenspace: I supported the hotline for callers affected by domestic violence as a Crisis Advocate.
Fern Ridge Education Foundation: I maintained documents, filing of reports and financial records for the foundation as Secretary & Treasury.
Currently serving as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to be the voice for abuse and neglected children.
I am excited to be given the opportunity to support our community, our children and those who work within Fern Ridge School district. Please contact me anytime at bgrahamadams@fernridge.k12.or.us or call 541-935-2253 ext. 1203.
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Mark Boren:
I am honored to represent the students, parents and staff on the Board. I was appointed in March of 2018 and elected in May. I grew up in the Bethel School District and graduated from Willamette High School. I met my wonderful wife in a P.E. class my freshman year and we have been together the last 35 plus years. We moved to Veneta about 27 years ago and raised 5 children that all went through the Fern Ridge School District. Our oldest two daughters went to Central Elementary. When our youngest two were in 4th and 1st grades, Central closed and they finished at Veneta. We also had a young man (whom we consider our son) live with us for his Junior and Senior years at Elmira after going to Elmira Elementary and FRMS.
I started volunteering with Lane County Fire District #1 in 1997 and was fortunate enough to get hired full time in 2003 as the Training Officer. I am now one of two Training Officers for Lane Fire Authority and am stationed on Sundays at our Irving-area Station and Monday through Thursday in Veneta. Over the past 14 years, I have served on both local and state fire training executive committees.
I enjoy doing volunteer work in the community such as; SMART reader at Veneta Elementary, 5th grade outdoor school, sideline helper with Elmira JV and Varsity football, assistant coach Elmira boys basketball, and in the past, FRSD Budget Committee and TSP School Rep and coach.
Prior to working for Lane Fire Authority, I worked as a special education Instructional Assistant with the Lane ESD for 15 years, working mostly in a high school setting. While working in the schools, I also umpired High School fastpitch softball and adult slowpitch softball in the area. This allowed me to utilize conflict resolution strategies with adult coaches and players. I had the opportunity to work three slowpitch National Championships; Women’s Major in Salem, OR, Men’s Major in Waterloo, Iowa, and the Men’s “A” in Dothan, Alabama.
My coaching and Fire/EMS background has allowed me to see the big picture, as well as the needs of individual instruction and growth. I am very excited to be on the board and look forward to serving the students of this district for the remainder of my second term and hopefully beyond that.
Lisa McCann:
It is an honor to serve the students, families, teachers /staff and community of Fern Ridge School District. I have always believed that all children should be able to get a great education from our public school system. I am excited and it is my pleasure to be part of a team that that can make a difference in the lives of our kids, our schools and community.
In 1990 we flipped a coin. Heads its Oregon. Tails its Colorado. Yes, it landed on heads and off we were. Our family was off to a new adventure. We love this little community of ours.
My husband and I have been married for forty plus years. We have 2 girls who are now grown with their own families. Both of our girls have gone through the Fern Ridge school district from Kindergarten to High School graduation. We have been blessed with 6 grandchildren. Two live out of state but 4 are here and attend the Fern Ridge school district. I am invested in our schools and community.
I have always been involved and active in the lives of my children, grands and kids in our community. Some of the activities I have been involved with is P.T.A. president, class volunteer, Gold Card Night, O.H.S.E.T, and basketball coach.
I have taught EEC, Early Childhood Education for the past 40 years. Twenty-five plus of those years have been in our community as the director/teacher at Kid’s Akademy. What wonderful years they were! Presently I am retired after having both knees totally replaced. It was not my plan to retire but I do believe that things happen for a reason. On to new adventures.
“Together We Can Make A Difference”
Together We Will Make A Difference!
Kathleen Pizzola:
I am honored to be elected to the Fern Ridge School District Board and to contribute to the continuing work of the district to “provide excellence for every student so that each will reach their greatest potential!” As an educator in this community for over 5 years, I am passionate about education and the opportunities that learning provides. Along with my husband, who is a police officer, our family is the epitome of public service.
I was raised just outside of Myrtle Point, Oregon, and graduated from Powers High School in 2006. Upon high school graduation I attended Southwestern Oregon Community College and while playing basketball, received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Management in 2008. I then transferred to Eastern Oregon University to continue playing basketball and later graduated in 2010 with a dual major Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Resource Management and Business Administration. I met my husband shortly after graduation and we moved to Lane County in 2012. After completing my Master’s in Education, I was hired by FRSD as a 6th grade math/science teacher at the middle school, and I continued to teach there until 2021.
Our oldest daughter is currently a third grader at Elmira Elementary and our youngest will be in kindergarten soon. With kids currently enrolled in the district, I have a vested interest in student’s educational opportunities and experiences and am looking forward to being a part of it. In addition to teaching, I enjoy coaching and being an active part of my community. I excitedly look forward to this new adventure and I can’t wait to get to work representing our students, staff, families and community members.
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