GOVERNANCE BOARD
-
Michael Hughes
Chair
Michael Hughes' adventures have brought him right back to where it started. He graduated Wausau West High School in 2001, and then left the state to attend college at the University of Pittsburgh. After graduation, he was lured back to Wisconsin to attend law school at University of Wisconsin - Madison. Upon receiving his law degree, Michael was a sole proprietor who litigated throughout the state for about 15 years. He has recently joined a firm and focuses his legal practice on resolving insurance disputes.
Michael has a pair of twins that keep him deeply engaged, amazed, and fatigued. In his free time (ha!) he enjoys exercising, playing chess, and attending as much live music as possible.
Contact: mhughes2@wausauschools.org
-
Amanda Molin
Vice-Chair and Chair of Grant Writing Committee
Amanda originally followed a job to north central Wisconsin, but is proud to have put down roots and grown a career and family in the Wausau area. Amanda has always had an affinity for nature, which was made clear by her choice to attend Northern Michigan University, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. She spends many weekends at the family property in the Keewenaw Peninsula, nurturing her daughter’s love of the outdoors. During the work week, she can be found meeting with her wealth management clients. Outside of the day job, Amanda serves on two other non-profit boards, golfs in a women’s league, and spends time with her husband, daughter, and their small zoo of pets.
Contact: amolin@wausauschools.org
-
Elizabeth Knight
Captain of Making it Happen at Aplomb PR
A communications and public relations guru who specializes in small business marketing and public relations, Elizabeth received her degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire prior to planting her roots in the Wausau area. She founded her own marketing and PR agency in 2010 and today works with clients of all sizes both locally and throughout the United States. Growing up in northern Wisconsin, the outdoors were a huge part of her upbringing and remain a focus for her and her family. When not working or chasing her young son around, she loves getting off-grid at her family cabin in Price County, spending summer afternoons on Lake Wausau, supporting other community boards and adopting adorable mutts from the shelter.
Contact: eknight@wausauschools.org
-
Mandi Witman
Chair of Annual Events Committee
Mandi has grown up in Central Wisconsin, graduated from high school in 2004. She then went on to further her education at UWSP where she received a teaching degree. After a few years she decided traditional/public education was not the right fit and left the profession. She then moved on and worked her way up to operations manager at a local retailer. After being there over a decade, she along with her family decided it was best to end the out of home career path for now. She is currently a stay at home mom of two children, as well as a "farm wife" and busy homemaker. In her free time she enjoys being outdoors with her kids, playing board and card games as well as playing sports.
Contact: awitman@wausauschools.org
-
Jenna Hase
Chair of Annual Fundraising Committee
All roads lead home. Jenna was born and raised in Wausau, WI, graduating from Wausau West High School in 2005, before her adventures took her to Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula where she received her undergraduate degree from Michigan Technological University. After graduation, Jenna’s profession took her and her now husband to the greater Indianapolis, Indiana area where she spent the last 15 years growing her career and family, always hoping to move back to central Wisconsin. In 2023, Jenna and her family moved back to where she was raised (literally), putting down roots on the same land that she grew up on.
Jenna has two kids that keep her active, both mentally and physically. During the work week, you can find her conducting research and designing services to help transform the way federal government serves the public. In her spare time, Jenna enjoys doing crossfit, walking her dogs, and watching her kids try new things (e.g, hockey and skiing)!
Contact: jhase@wausauschools.org
-
Dr. Benjamin Kaster, MD, MPH
Dr. Benjamin Kaster, MD, MPH, is a dedicated hospitalist and addiction medicine specialist at Aspirus Wausau Hospital, where he brings his expertise to the forefront of patient care. Alongside his clinical work, Dr. Kaster is deeply involved in medical education as an attending physician for the family residency program and adjunct professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin
Originally from Minnesota, Dr. Kaster's journey in healthcare has taken him around the world. After completing his undergraduate degree, he received the University of Minnesota Human Rights Award. This recognition allowed him the opportunity to spend two transformative years on the ground in Uganda, East Africa, where he co-founded Uganda Rural Fund’s Hope Academy School. Today, the school flourishes with over 400 students, a clinic, and a public library.
Dr. Kaster's academic pursuits and passion for global health and healthcare equality led him to pursue a Master's in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. Spending over a year and a half in Baltimore, Maryland, Dr. Kaster was exposed not only to healthcare inequalities but also educational disparities. This experience has fueled his ongoing efforts to fight for social justice and equality for all at home and abroad.
In his cherished moments away from medicine, Dr. Kaster finds solace and joy in the company of his beloved family: his wife, Ann, and their daughters Norah, Zoe, and Florence. The Kaster family's home is powered by solar panels, and driven by electric cars reflecting their commitment to sustainability and their efforts to fight climate change.
The Kaster crew wholeheartedly embraces outdoor activities such as beekeeping, maple syrup making, and the delightful chaos of chicken chasing. Whether it's tending to their outdoor pursuits or simply basking in the sun, the Kaster family can always be found enjoying the great outdoors.
Contact: bkaster@wausauschools.org
-
Tia Misoni
Treasurer
Tia, originally from Madison, WI, relocated to Wausau two decades ago to be closer to family. With over 10 years of experience in the mortgage industry, she has transitioned her focus to specialize in compliance within the financial sector.
Tia wears multiple hats as a wife, mother, and daughter. Juggling her very energetic four-year-old and growing teenager is both exhausting and fulfilling. Outside of work and family, Tia tries to embrace Wisconsin’s oh-so-short summers while also relaxing. She enjoys creating delicious meals for her family, exploring new destinations, and improving her amateur gardening skills. Tia’s daughter was diagnosed with food allergies at seven months old. This experience sparked Tia’s interest in the origins of our food, its impact on our bodies, and our relationship with nature.
Contact: tmisoni@wausauschools.org
The Governance Board exists to manage, operate, guide, direct, and promote the Red Granite Charter School Inc. Red Granite is a separate legal entity that holds the charter contract agreement with the Wausau School District. Red Granite is able to engage in charitable activities on behalf of the school.
The Governance Board is made up of up to 9 diverse members who may not be an employee of the Wausau School District. Board members are up for renewal every two years.
The Governance Board meets on a monthly basis and has additional meetings as needed. All meetings are open to the public. Meetings currently take place on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7:30-9:30pm; they are held virtually and in person (location TBD), and the link to the meeting agenda will always be placed 24 hours prior to the meeting.
The Governance Board is currently full with nine members. There will be an election for new board members in 2025.
Red Granite Charter School Inc.
The charter school holds the powers to carry out the implementation of a charter school, including:
Budget expenditures, grant funds, and funds donated specifically to the Charter School;
Calendar and daily schedule;
Curriculum, instruction, and monitoring student progress;
Policies and procedures specifically unique to the daily operations of the Charter School that are not addressed in existing District policies;
Marketing, registration, enrollment processing, and community communication;
Vision, mission, goals, and strategic plans, provided such plans align with the terms of this Contract;
Professional development;
Developing and approving all job descriptions, recruiting plans, selection, and evaluation processes for all Charter School faculty and staff;
Waldorf teacher certification or equivalent recognized by the Alliance for Public Waldorf Education;
Charter School site selection, acquisition, or lease agreements in cooperation with the Wausau School District Administrator.
Receive and disburse funds for school purposes;
Secure appropriate insurance;
Enter into contracts, including contracts with a University of Wisconsin institution or college campus, technical college district board, or private college or university, for technical or financial assistance, academic support, curriculum review, or other services;
Incur debt in reasonable anticipation of the receipt of funds;
Pledge, assign, or encumber its assets to be used as collateral for loans or extensions of credit;
Solicit and accept gifts or grants for school purposes;
Acquire real property for its use;
Sue and be sued in its own name; and
Seek tax-exempt status under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.