Board of Directors
Amy Barber, Secretary
Teacher Member
Term Ends: 6/30/2027
abarber@spcsmn.org
Amy has been teaching Art at St. Paul City School for 17 years. She earned her BA in Art Education at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, WI and her MA in Social Work at St. Catherine/St. Thomas. In addition to having her teaching license, Amy is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She uses these skills to implement an SEL based art curriculum in her K-12 Art Program.
Amy loves being in the art room and seeing all of the ways our St. Paul City School students can be creative!
When not teaching Amy enjoys being outside, baking, and spending time with friends and family.
Karla Romero
Parent Member
Term Ends: 6/30/2027
kromero@spcsmn.org
Karla is a mother to a first grader, a sister to two high school students and also attended the primary school herself back when the buildings were separated by grades. Karla is passionate about learning and being involved with anything that involves her family and helping others. She is excited about being part of the school community and is looking forward to helping make a big change to the school.
On her free time she enjoys going to the gym, taking her daughter to swim classes, trying new food places and spending time with her family.
Lori Byersdorfer
Teacher Member
Term ends: 06/30/2028
lbyersdorfer@spcsmn.org
Lori has been teaching math for 23 years in high schools, community colleges, and now at St. Paul City School, where she is in her second year teaching middle school. She earned her BAS in Mathematics Education from the University of Minnesota–Duluth and her MA in the Art of Teaching Mathematics from Webster University in St. Louis, MO.
Lori is passionate about helping students build confidence in math and is excited to join the board this year. She looks forward to supporting Saint Paul City School in better serving its students and families.
In her free time, Lori enjoys gardening, reading, cooking, walking her black lab, and spending time with friends and family.
Sheila Williams Ridge
Community Member
Term ends: 06/30/2027
swilliamsridge@spcsmn.org
Sheila is the Co-Director of the Child Development Laboratory School at the University of Minnesota. She also teaches the course: Nature-Based Learning in Early Childhood. Sheila is currently taking courses towards an Ed. D. in Education Leadership. She is co-author of the book, Nature-Based Learning for Young Children: Anytime, Anywhere, on Any Budget, published by Redleaf Press and is passionate about encouraging nature-based play and the lasting developmental benefits of a relationship between children and nature.
In her free time, she enjoys hiking, photography, camping, cooking, and gardening.
Sheila connected with SPCS through a colleague and was so impressed by the collaborative style of leadership, the deep investment in children's wellbeing and development, and the overall inclusive and accessible feel of the school community.
Ashia Miller
Parent Member
Term Ends: 6/30/2027
amiller@spcsmn.org
Ashia is a dedicated parent of two, with a strong understanding of parental involvement. She is passionate about fostering a supportive learning environment for all students and looks forward to contributing insight from a parent perspective to help shape a brighter future for all students.
Her children have attended SPCS since 2019. In her free time, she enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, and being outdoors.
Kayla Swanson
Community Member
Term Ends: 6/30/2027
kswanson@spcsmn.org
Kayla Swanson was born and raised in South Minneapolis and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2013 with a BS in Youth Studies. She has extensive experience working with young people and youth development organizations.
After graduating, Kayla moved to Northern California, where she worked in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties as a Program Director for the Boys and Girls Club and as a WIOA (Workforce and Education) Case Manager for youth ages 16–24.
She later returned to the Twin Cities and currently serves as the Senior Program Manager of the Design Team Program and Project Director of the STEM Freedom School at the Kitty Andersen Youth Science Center.
Michelle Higgins, Chair
Community Member
Term ends: 06/30/2027
mhiggins@spcsmn.org
Michelle has more than 30 years of experience in various areas of education, primarily advocating for equity for under-resourced children. She is currently the Executive Director of Rebuilding the Village, a non-profit that provides out of school time programming for youth, and support resources for parents and families.
Michelle is a lifelong resident of the Frogtown and Rondo communities. She loves spending time with her granddaughter, teaching her what it means to be a member of “the Village”. She also enjoys art, reading, spending time in nature, and hanging out with her many rescue pets.
Board Liaison Positions – NonVoting Members
karl jentoft
Financial Advisor, The Ten Square Group
Ex officio, nonvoting member
karl@thetensquaregroup.com
benjamin magras
Executive Director
Ex officio, nonvoting member
bmagras@spcsmn.org
Board Documents
Board Meeting Schedule
Our monthly school board meetings are held from 5:00-6:30 pm at St. Paul City School’s Media Center.
Address: 215 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN 55103
Tues. August 19, 2025
Tues. September 16, 2025
Tues. October 21, 2025
Tues. November 18, 2025
Tues. December 16, 2025
Tues. January 20, 2026
Tues. February 17, 2026
Tues. March 17, 2026
Tues. April 21, 2026
Tues. May 19, 2026
Tues. June 16, 2026
