Stephen Foster Elementary Charter
Charter School Governance Board
Mission
At Foster Elementary Charter School, we empower every student to lead with confidence, compassion, and purpose in a community where all students belong.
Vision
Every student grows as a learner and leader—ready to contribute to their community and beyond.
Foster Elementary Charter School is a public leadership charter school committed to developing students who lead themselves and others with confidence, responsibility, and purpose. As a small, diverse, and close-knit school community within the Appleton Area School District, Foster combines individualized support with high expectations to ensure every student grows academically, socially, and as a leader.
As a charter school, Foster is granted flexibility to design an educational program that intentionally integrates leadership development and rigorous academics while remaining fully accountable to public education standards. This flexibility allows Foster to implement high-quality, research-based curricula that support deep learning and mastery. The school has adopted Illustrative Mathematics school-wide and utilizes strong literacy resources, including Wit & Wisdom, UFLI, and HD Word, which emphasize knowledge-building, vocabulary development, and foundational reading skills.
Leadership is not an add-on at Foster—it is the foundation of the school’s charter. Through the Leader in Me framework, leadership instruction is grounded in Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, which provides a common language and skill set for students and staff. The 7 Habits are explicitly taught, practiced, and reflected upon across classrooms and grade levels. Students set goals, take ownership of their learning, collaborate with others, and engage in service projects that address real community needs. Leadership growth is celebrated through regular school-wide recognitions and authentic student leadership opportunities.
With the autonomy of a leadership charter school comes increased accountability. The Foster Elementary Charter School Governance Board provides oversight of the school’s academic program, financial stewardship, and fidelity to its charter mission. Composed of parents, community members, and staff, the Board ensures that decisions remain aligned with Foster’s leadership-focused vision and are centered on student success. Parents and community members are encouraged to attend monthly board meetings, with dates and times shared in advance.
Membership
Stephen Foster Elementary Charter School Board members serve terms for one year, beginning July 1. New members are accepted throughout the year, and we welcome interest from all parents, staff, and community members!
If you have any questions, please contact President Susie Buche: xglu10@gmail.com
Governing Board Members - 2024-25 School Year
| President | Susie Buche, Community Member | xglu10@gmail.com | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vice President | Jamie Johnston, Staff | johnstonjamie@aasd.k12.wi.us | ||
| Secretary | Kali Jenneman, Community Member | kjenneman@bgclubfoxvalley.org | ||
| Treasurer | Aaron Shoemaker, Staff | shoemakeraaron@aasd.k12.wi.us | ||
| Member | Sarah Wylie, Community Member | sarahmwylie27@gmail.com | ||
| Member | Jennifer Kary, Parent | Jen.kary11@gmail.com | ||
| Member | Brandi Andrews, Parent | brandiandrews9911@gmail.com | ||
| Member | Cortney Dvorachek, Staff/Parent | dvorachekcortney@aasd.k12.wi.us | ||
|
Administrator |
Kelsi Van Fossen, Principal Advisor to Board (Non-voting) |
vanfossenkelsi@aasd.k12.wi.us | ||
| Programs and Services | ||||
| Chair | Cortney Dvorachek, Staff/Parent | dvorachekcortney@aasd.k12.wi.us | ||
| Member | Susie Buche, Community Member | xglu10@gmail.com | ||
| Member | Sarah Wylie, Community Member | sarahmwylie27@gmail.com | ||
| Member | Jennifer Kary, Parent | Jen.kary11@gmail.com | ||
| Kali Jenneman, Community Member | kjenneman@bgclubfoxvalley.org | |||
| Business Services | ||||
| Chair |
Aaron Shoemaker, Staff |
shoemakeraaron@aasd.k12.wi.us | ||
| Sarah Wylie, Community Member | sarahmwylie27@gmail.com | |||
| Jamie Johnston, Staff | johnstonjamie@aasd.k12.wi.us | |||
| Policy Review | ||||
| Chair |
Aaron Shoemaker, Staff |
shoemakeraaron@aasd.k12.wi.us | ||
| Susie Buche, Community Member | xglu10@gmail.com | |||
| Jamie Johnston, Staff | johnstonjamie@aasd.k12.wi.us | |||
| Brandi Andrews, Parent | brandiandrews9911@gmail.com | |||
Updated 8/12/25
Informational Documents
Foster School Funds Requisition Form
Foster Elementary Charter School Governance Board Handbook
Meetings
Governing Board meetings are scheduled monthly during the school year. All are welcome to attend.
All meetings are scheduled to take place in person or virtually. Join our meeting via Google Meet link: https://meet.google.com/pyr-vtfj-jhr
Meeting Dates for 2025-2026 Foster Elementary Charter Board
- August 12, 2025, 6:00 pm Full Board
- September 9, 2025, 6:00 pm Full Board
- October 7, 2025** 6:00 pm Full Board
- November 11, 2025, 6:00 pm Full Board
- December 9, 2025, 6:00 pm Full Board
- January 6, 2026** 6:00 pm Full Board
- February 10, 2026, 6:00 pm Full Board
- March 10, 2026, 6:00 pm Full Board
- April 14, 2026, 6:00 pm Full Board
- May 5, 2026** 6:00 pm Full Board
- June 9, 2026, 6:00 pm Full Board
