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Administration/School Board

Our Administrator

Our Administrators


Deacon Randy Hodge, High School Principal

Deacon Randy is a 1987 graduate of St. Patrick High School. He received his bachelor of arts degree in secondary education and also his master of arts degree in secondary school principalship from Central Michigan University. He taught at Central Montcalm Middle School from 1993-2008.  Randy became principal of St. Patrick School in 2008. He was ordained to the diaconate on January 13th, 2024 by Bishop Walkowiak.

Randy and his wife, Michelle, are parents to two children, Savannah and Sam, who are both graduates of St. Patrick School.

“It is a blessing to work with such great school families, students, and parish and school staff. I cannot think of any other place I would like to serve in the ministry of Catholic high school principal and development director than St. Patrick Parish and School.”

Contact Mr. Hodge

 

Mrs. Cortney Smith, PS-8 Principal

Mrs. Smith’s background includes 13 years of teaching experience. Most recently, she served St. Patrick School for one year as kindergarten teacher, and prior to that, she taught for 12 years in Grand Ledge Public Schools.

Mrs. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Central Michigan University.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Mrs. Smith as the elementary principal of St. Patrick School,” said Father Alber. “She comes to us as a parent of current and future students, the spouse of an alum, an active member of our parish, and a teacher in our school. I can see great things for our future as a school under her leadership.”

“I believe education is a partnership of the teacher, parents and student working together to achieve individual goals, and I take great pride in caring for the whole student and their family,” said Mrs. Smith. “St. Patrick School is special in that Jesus Christ is the foundation of everything we do — and so I am committed to fostering excitement and growth, both spiritually and academically. I will guide and encourage students, parents and faculty, celebrating the self-confidence, skills, and love of learning which form the foundation for continued success!”  Contact Mrs. Smith

 

Assistant Principal Brittni Krausz

Mrs. Krausz is an alumna of St. Patrick School and an active member of St. Patrick PArish.  She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ferris State University and a Master of Educational Leadership with K-12 administration from Eastern Michigan University.  Her emphasis is on student life, working with students and parents on disciplinary measures and student supports.

“St. Patrick School has implemented school wide behavior expectations .  We will be implementing the R.O.C.K.S. program (Respect, Obedience, Christ-like, Kindness, Self Control).  We hope this new plan will unify the school on behavioral expectations and consequences pre K through 12.  A large part of my role as assistant principal is to help this program run smoothly.”

 

 

 

 

 

St. Patrick School Board

Policy on Addressing the School Board
Policy on Addressing the School Board

A written request, including the topic, must be submitted no later than eight days prior to the meeting.  The request may be submitted to either a school administrator or the chair of the School Board to be placed on the agenda.  For your convenience, you can fill out this online form to submit your request.  Every attempt will be made to notify you no later than the Thursday before the meeting if your request can be honored. You will be given ten minutes to address your topic followed by five minutes of discussion/questions if needed to clarify any points.

Any parent of a St. Patrick School student, as well as any contributing member of St. Patrick Parish, is welcome to address the School Board using this procedure, which was established in October 2007.

The School Board will post the agenda items prior to a scheduled meeting.  Some additions or deletions may occur before the meeting takes place.

The School Board minutes will be posted following the scheduled meeting date.

 

School Board Meetings
Meetings will be held in the Parish Hall or Aquinas Room immediately following the 6:00 pm Mass on the following dates:
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August 6, 2024                                     Athletic Eligibility
October 8, 2024             agenda
December 10, 2024
February 11, 2025
April 1, 2025
May 13, 2025
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August 8, 2023                                         minutes
October 10, 2023                                    minutes
December 12, 2023    agenda           minutes
February 13, 2024       agenda         minutes
April 9, 2024                  agenda 
May 14, 2024              agenda            minutes

About the School Board

School Board Members

School Board Members

Position Name Subcommittee Phone Term ends
Chair Connie Vallier Executive (517) 647- 2225 2025
Vice-Chair Brenda Lenneman Policy/Strategic Planning (517) 204-0973 2025
Rec. Secretary Nancy Wohlscheid Executive (517) 526-1058 N/A
Member Cheryl Baker Finance (517) 647-9954 2025
Member Erin Pung-Caszatt Admissions/Development (517) 505-6763 2025
Member Dana Hengesbach Marketing/Public Relations 2025
Member Ashley Kliewer Marketing/Public Relations (517) 526-1818 2027
Member Melinda Fandel Policy/Strategic Planning 2027
Member Krysten Rosendall Admissions/Development 2025
Member Christine Wilcox Mission Effectiveness 2026

 

Connie Vallier, Chair

I look forward to serving as your School Board Chair where I have been a member of the Policy and Strategic Planning sub-committee for 3 years. My husband, Bill, and I are alumni of St. Patrick School as well as our 3 daughters. We now have a  grandson in Kindergarten. I am also blessed to have been a St. Patrick School secretary for 13 years. Currently, I work for the State of Michigan providing emergency and business continuity planning.
We are stewards of the gifts of our Catholic faith and of St. Patrick Parish and School. Building on our great history and foundation, we look for new perspectives and ideas to continue to grow in our faith and invest in the future. Please contact me at vallierbc@gmail.com or 517-647-2225.

Nancy Wohlscheid, Secretary

I was born and raised in Portland and I am very proud to say that I am a graduate of St. Pat’s.  My husband Brian and I have three sons who  have graduated from St. Patrick School.  I have a BSBA degree from Central Michigan University.  I worked full-time at Lansing Community College for 25 years. I retired from LCC in June 2011.

The twelve years I spent attending St. Patrick School were happy and rewarding.  St. Patrick School instilled in me a strong academic work ethic, rooted in a Catholic foundation.   Brian and I were happy to see our sons growing and learning in the same environment surrounded by teachers and staff who truly care.  Please feel free to call me anytime at 517-526-1058 or email me at Nancyw@municipalsupply.com.

Erin Pung-Caszatt

I am a 2000 graduate of Saint Patrick. I have received an Associates degree from Lansing Community College and a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. I work for the State of Michigan in social services.
My husband, Jesse, and I have two children that attend Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick helped me established a strong foundation in my education and my faith. Being a member of the school board allows me to start giving back to the home that helped build me.

Melinda Fandel

I am a Portland St. Patrick graduate (2001). I received my bachelor’s in psychology from Central Michigan University and my Masters of Public Administration, also from Central Michigan University (Fire up Chips)! I currently work for the State of Michigan in the juvenile justice field and have worked in this sector for twenty years, both on a micro and macro level.

My husband, Chris and I currently have three boys, also attending St. Patrick’s School. I’m extremely passionate about working with youth and helping them to be the best they can be. I look forward to working with the school board, teachers, families, and students at this school to promote and foster positive outcomes for our students.

Cheryl Baker

I am blessed to have attended St. Patrick’s from 1st grade to 12th grade, graduating in 1983.  I then went on to attend Michigan State University, graduating in 1987 with a B.A. in Financial Administration.  I also took additional accounting classes at LCC and obtained my CPA license.
I worked for the State of Michigan for 32 years and have recently retired.  For 22 of those years, I worked for the Office of the Auditor General as an auditor and supervisor.  My husband, John, is a retired battalion chief of the Lansing Fire Department.
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me by phone or text at 517-647-9954 or by email at bakerc65@hotmail.com.

Brenda Lenneman, Co Chair

I am a Portland St. Patrick graduate (2005). I received my Bachelors in Business & Health Administration from Central Michigan University and my Masters of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University. I work for Spectrum Health as Sr. Human Resources Business Partner.

 

My husband Brian (also a St Patrick graduate) and I moved back to Portland in 2019 when our oldest son was starting school. We have three boys – two currently attend St. Patrick School and our youngest will in the future.

 

I look forward to working with the administration, school board members, students and families to continue to move St. Patrick School forward so that generations ahead can continue to experience the benefits this school and community have to offer.

Ashley Kliewer

I am a graduate of St. Patrick School (2002), Lansing Community College (2004), and Aquinas College (2007).  I work for the State of Michigan in child welfare and am very passionate about serving the families and children of our county.  I am excited to be a part of the SPS School Board to continue to make a positive contribution to the community where I reside, and to support the ongoing efforts of our teachers and staff as they enrich the lives of our students.

Dana Hengesbach

I am a (2014) graduate of St. Patrick School. MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology (2015), and currently enrolled at Lansing Community College; Marketing. I work for the City of Grand Ledge and a firefighter with Portland Area Fire Authority.

 

I feel privileged to be able to give back to the school community that laid a solid foundation for my faith life and the passion to serve others.

Krysten Rosendall

I grew up in Portland, graduating from Portland High School. I received my Associate’s Degree from Ferris State University (1996) and my Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. I am employed by the Michigan Public Health Institute as a Financial Coordinator.

I have been a life-long resident after my family moved here in 1979 from West-Michigan when my dad began his service on the Portland Police Department where he retired as the Chief of Police 30 years later.

My husband, Joseph, is formerly from Grand Rapids. We reside in Portland and we have one son, Teddy, currently enrolled at St. Pat’s.  We are so grateful for the education and spiritual opportunities a Catholic School has provided for our son.

I am honored to serve as a St. Patrick’s School Board Member and look forward to the opportunity to serve the Parish and our community.

Christine Wilcox

I recently retired after 39 years as an early intervention teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing.  I lived and worked in Michigan, Wisconsin, Oregon and Tennessee. My husband, Tim, graduated from St. Pat’s (1979) and we were blessed to have the opportunity for our three children to also attend and graduate from St. Pat’s. I am honored to have a small part in supporting our school and passing on our beautiful catholic faith.