School Board of Trustees

Shaina LaFond: Director, President   Email: [email protected]
Shaina is a former hospitality specialist and business owner. Recently, she was able to leave the workforce and devote her time instead to her family and to volunteer opportunities. She and her partner are parents to two happy OMPS students, and have enjoyed living in Traverse City since arriving from the Ann Arbor area in 2015. ​

Chris Johnston: Director, Vice President  Email: [email protected]
Chris is a Design Principal and Architect at BellCraft Architects, and grew up in Southwest Michigan. He and his family moved to Traverse City from Seattle, Washington in 2018.

Susie Shipman: Director, Secretary and Treasurer Email: [email protected] ​
Currently the Conservation Director for the Trust for Virgin Islands Lands in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Susie is a member of the Peninsula Township Planning Commission, and is the contracted PDR Monitor for the Peninsula Township Purchase of Development Rights program. Born in British Columbia, Canada, Susie came to Michigan through marriage to an alumnus of Old Mission Peninsula School. ​

Will Gibb: Director Email: [email protected]
Will is an entrepreneur and currently in sales at a Sporting Goods Store in Traverse City. Originally from Columbus, Ohio he and his family moved to Traverse City from Fenton, Michigan in 2015

Amanda Igra: Director Email: [email protected]
​Amanda is a second-year law student at Michigan State University. She was an Elementary Music Teacher and continues private music lessons in Traverse City. Originally from Southwest Michigan.

Jen Kuhar: Director Email: [email protected]
Jen is a mother of 3. She is a Regional Sales manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan with a history of marketing and strategic planning. After a short stint in Traverse City, over a decade ago, Jennifer and her family were called back to Traverse City from Southeast, MI in 2020.

Todd Sanders: Director Email: [email protected]

Becoming a Board Member

If you are interested in becoming a School Board Member for Old Mission Peninsula School,
please fill out THIS FORM and send it to [email protected].  
​We are always accepting applications, even when there are no openings available.
Academy To become a charter public school board member, a candidate must:
1. be nominated by a charter school board
2. complete an application for board service
3. successfully pass a background check
4. interview with a representative of the GVSU Charter School Office
5. be approved by the Grand Valley State University Board of Trustees 
6. take the public oath of office.
If approved to serve on the board, your role is to support and promote the vision and mission of OMPS, make governance decisions that lead to positive, high-quality outcomes for kids, families, and our leadership, teaching and support staff team, set policy, maintain prudent fiscal oversight and ensure that the school complies with its charter and applicable law.

12 Responsibilities of Charter School Boards

1. ENSURE all students are being prepared for success in college, work and life.
2. ENSURE the public’s money and resources are well stewarded.
3. ENSURE the school is run by a great leader and infused with a positive culture and learning environment.
4. ENSURE the terms of the charter contract are fulfilled and the organization is prepared for renewal.
5. ENSURE the school is true to its mission, vision and values.
6. ENSURE goals are clear and people and programs are wisely empowered, supported, evaluated and held accountable.
7. ENSURE the school operates legally and ethically.
8. ENSURE the school continuously improves and stays viable.
9. ENSURE the board recruits, orients and develops its members and its capacity to govern.
10. ENSURE the board adopts and properly maintains its governing policies.
11. ENSURE the board speaks with one voice.
12. ENSURE the board and its members are positive ambassadors for your school and the charter idea!
From the National Charter Schools Institute