PEF LEADERSHIP

Board Members

Bill Burhans - President
Jason Martin - Vice President
​Keith Crowell - Student Scholarships
Maggie Hills - Spotlight Awards
Tom Sielatycki - Marketing/Technology
Angie Schultz - STEP Camps & STEAM Night
Shayna Barry - Teacher Grants
​Bo Snyder - School Board Liaison
Available - At large board member(s)

Advisors:
Michelle Karpinski, Community Relations
​​Mark Bielang, Superintendent

Learn more about joining our board - CLICK HERE!

Founding Members

Mike Collins
Jan Dancer
Pat Dolan
John Everts
Joseph Heywood
John Manske
Ron Molitor
Dee Dee Murch
Dr. L Donald Pipe
Jim Rikers
Josh Weiner

Connect with Us

PEF Story

The Portage Education Foundation was established in 1990, when Dr. L Donald Pipe needed a manner in which he could donate a computer lab to the district.  Over our history, we have acted in numerous capacities for the district. We are a 100% volunteer-driven board of trustees. ​

Our community needs a mechanism in which it can help educate our children and support our district staff in a manner that goes above and beyond what the school district can provide with limited time and resources.  The PEF fills this role by engaging with teachers, businesses, non-profit organizations, and families. The mission of the PEF is to help develop, provide, and enhance the educational opportunities for the largest number of students, staff, and community members possible.​
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​Since 1990, the PEF has raised funds from private sources to provide student scholarships and staff development grants, pilot innovative educational programs, and supply in-classroom teacher mini-grants. PEF has also purchased new technology hardware and software and provided funds to support this technology. This technology is then put to good use throughout the school year and during the Summer Technology Exploration Program (STEP), which PEF brings to hundreds of PPS students each summer free of charge.​
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Funding

We fund pilot programs, such as our Makey-Makey technology equipment or the district-wide program to host author, Max Brooks, in the community to discuss his book, World War Z, which specifically explores many racial issues.

Collaboration

We collaborate with teachers, staff, and community members to bring our Summer Technology Exploration Program (STEP) to our students every summer at no-cost to families. Students thrive in this environment.

Scholarships & Grants

We manage scholarships created in honor of students and teachers. We build and direct our endowed funds used to support our various activities. We engage teachers to fund classroom mini-grants.