Chrissy Mayer, President

Eudora Schools Parent

Eudora Schools provides a wealth of opportunities for my children to grow and learn both academically and socially. The schools are responsive to the needs of all students and provide a safe, supportive learning environment. My family is fortunate to live in a district that puts kids first. We have state-of-the-art facilities and first-class teachers. The Eudora Schools Foundation is an incredible organization that supports excellence in our district.

Claire Harding, Past President

Eudora Schools Parent

As a parent to three boys in Eudora Schools, I am regularly in awe of the commitment our teachers, administrators and staff have to their students. I see these educators and their hunger to challenge the status quo. They are teaching so much more than the standards, expecting each child to achieve, and giving; giving of themselves and their time. It is my privilege to help feed the passion. With the Eudora Schools Foundation's focus on rewarding teacher excellence and enriching the student experience, I am able to do my part to make our incredible schools even better. There is no limit to the long-term reach of the Foundation's impact on my boys and every student in our school.

Find out why Claire Harding gives to the Eudora Schools Foundation - watch now 

Matt Bova

Retired, EHS English Teacher

President Elect

I taught English and photojournalism at Eudora High School for 28 years before retiring in 2016. Throughout my career, the Eudora community provided the perfect place for me to work. In recent years, as the Eudora Schools Foundation continued to expand its reach, I was struck by the way the Foundation provided the structure to bring the community into direct partnership with the district’s classroom teachers. This partnership enriches everybody. Parents see their efforts having a direct impact. Students are provided with exciting classroom opportunities. And teachers feel the support of the community behind them. That’s why I was happy to accept the invitation to join the Eudora Schools Foundation. It is a great way for me to stay connected to the schools, and it gives me a chance to give something back to a place that gave so much to me.

Abram Chrislip, Treasurer

CPA, Mike Houser & Company

Eudora Schools Parent

I was born and raised in Eudora and attended Eudora public schools until my graduation from EHS in 1997. Shortly after finishing college, my wife (and fellow ’97 EHS graduate), Sarah, and I moved back to Eudora to raise our young family in the town where many of our family members and close friends still lived. We currently have 4 children at Eudora Schools and have been consistently impressed by the District’s schools and teachers. When I was asked to consider joining the Eudora Schools Foundation (ESF) board, it was an easy decision. I knew that the ESF board was composed of a terrific group of Eudora citizens committed to helping the Eudora school district continue to provide the best for its students. I am excited to work with the board and to help the Foundation accomplish its goals.

Lauri Kuntz, Secretary

Community Member

Eudora Schools Parent

My husband Shane and I have three children that attend Eudora Schools.  I am involved with the Eudora Elementary PTO, a volunteer at Eudora Elementary and  a member of the Eudora Schools Curriculum Council.  I love Eudora Schools because of the amazing teachers and staff.  Our teachers work so hard to know the students individually and help them to excel in and out of the classroom.  

Tony Barron

Exec Dir Facilities & Operations USD #497

Eudora Schools Parent

Candace Dunback

Sr. Dir of K Club & Traditions, KU Athletics

Eudora Schools Parent

Why Eudora Schools…

As a young couple with no children, my husband and I settled in Eudora because at the time it split our work commutes perfectly East and West from our front door.  Eighteen years and two children later, we are incredibly thankful we made the decision we did. We unexpectedly found a community and school district that not only supports our children in the ways they need, but also a warm and welcoming spirit of collaboration at a unique level. 

Why is education important…

The value of education comes in many forms and may vary from person to person based on their experiences or circumstances.  At the core of education, we are helping individuals find the best version of themselves and by doing so we are enriching their lives and elevating our communities simultaneously. Students become tomorrow’s leaders and educators who may effectuate change as needed and empower the next generation of Cardinals. Education is cyclical.

Why I care…

I am very conscious of the impact educators have had in my life. The direction of our lives is a reflection of the people who come in and out of our life stories. Educators were instrumental in keeping me pointed in a positive direction. Now that I have two sons in the Eudora School District, I have found even more clarity on this concept. On a daily basis I see strong educators come into my sons’ lives, plant seeds of curiosity and watch them grow. I have an immense amount of gratitude for the opportunity to support these individuals in the ways I am able while seeking that elusive balance of work and personal life.

Don Grosdidier

Director of Virtual Learning, Greenbush

Eudora Schools Parent

You might say that I have been an “almost life-long” member of the Eudora Schools community.  I am a graduate of Eudora High School and have worked for the school district for 28 years in a variety of capacities from Teacher-Coach to Principal to Superintendent. I have two daughters, one a student at EMS and one a graduate of Eudora High School. I take great pride in the quality of teaching and learning that takes place in Eudora Schools each day. I want to see us continue to offer the opportunities of a large school district while maintaining the personal relationships of a small district. I think it has been that ability that has set us apart from other districts in the area.

Robby Giffin

Senior Pastor, Lawrence First Church of the Nazarene

Eudora Schools Parent

My family and I moved to Eudora 15 years ago, intending it to be a temporary stay until our kids became of school age and we could move to a bigger district with more opportunities. We soon realized that there were actually more opportunities in a district like Eudora, where the community and the school district work in harmony with one another. Really, Eudora schools IS the community! It's an honor and a privilege to be a part of the schools foundation, where we can be a part of connecting both the community and the schools in enriching our students' educational and emotional growth.

Ed Hurtig

Senior Associate, Project Manager at HOK

Eudora Schools Parent

I grew up in a small town in north central Kansas and received an excellent education from both the school and the community. My upbringing helped me understand that when I had kids I wanted to make sure I raised them in a community with a great education system. We picked Eudora because of the people that we met and the opportunities the community offered. Once our children entered the school system, I knew that the choice we made was a great one. I have enjoyed watching my children grow and learn in this great school system, and I look forward to seeing the opportunities that lay ahead of them. I have a passion to make an impact in my community, and the Eudora Schools Foundation provides that opportunity for me.  Being a part of the Foundation board gives me a chance to give back to an educational system that is the backbone of this community, and I look forward to working with my fellow Foundation members on making a meaningful impact to Eudora.

Lindsey Hoover

AAFP, Managing Editor

Eudora Schools Parent

I had never visited the city of Eudora before I met my husband, Jason, in 2002. Since then I have absolutely fallen in love with this community. Both of our children have flourished here due to the commitment of the teachers, staff, and families that make our schools so outstanding. I am thrilled to be a part of the Eudora Schools Foundation and my hope is to help our district foster lasting and meaningful programs that will have an educational impact on all students.

Barbara Keltner

Retired, School Librarian

Eudora Schools Grandparent

Although my husband and I have lived in the Eudora community only 2 years since our retirement from teaching in Medicine Lodge, we have a 15 year history of knowing about Eudora and the amazing school system since our son teaches at the Eudora High School, and we now have one granddaughter in each of the three schools.   As a former school librarian of 40 years who loved my job, volunteering at the EES and EMS libraries each week has been a good fit, and being in the schools regularly is how I learned how very progressive the Eudora school system is and how innovative and caring the teachers are!  I have been especially impressed with the ESF grants to teachers and the amazing activities the students are able to do as a result, so when I was asked to consider serving on the ESF Board, I knew I would enjoy serving on a board for an organization that supports students and teachers in this way and many others.

Shawna Mateo

Information Tech/Quality Assurance Lead

Community Member

I’m from Newfoundland, Canada and moved to the United States in 2000 where I met my husband Doug in Kansas City while he was attending Cleveland Chiropractic College with my brother.  After he finished school, we went to New York for about 6 years.  We made the decision to come back to the Kansas City area to start a family and live happily ever after.  Doug chose Eudora, KS to start his practice. It is important to me to support children and the community in any way I can and the perfect place to start is in the classrooms. Teachers play such a significant role in our children’s lives and help us develop them into their full potential.   I’m glad to be a part of an awesome team like ESF; committed to the classrooms.

Cara McNorton

State Testing Coordinator, K12 Schools

Eudora Schools Parent

My husband and I chose Eudora Schools eight years ago for our four children, after interviewing several surrounding school districts. We saw a district with a small district feel, yet provided big district opportunities. We heard words like "collaboration" "partnership" "kids first" "communication." Eudora schools has given my children the opportunity to excel social emotionally and academically in a safe and supportive culture. I'm honored to serve on a Foundation Board that believes we, as a community, have a responsibility to support the needs of a small district to provide big district opportunities to our Cardinal students. 

Sparkle Oehlert

Program Director, Greenbush

Eudora Schools Parent

My husband, Jason and I have lived in Eudora nearly 20 years. It was a great location for our careers when we married - right between Overland Park and Lawrence. Before starting a family we decided that we should find our “forever” community. After a lot of research, we realized we were already in the best community! Eudora Schools were on the top of our list and we could have the small community atmosphere while enjoying the variety of opportunities provided by the Eudora School District and the Eudora Community. We live in Eudora with our two children, Norah (EMS) and Cooper (EES). I am honored to be on the Eudora Schools Foundation Board and to have the opportunity to support the mission of the foundation - “to enrich student experience, reward teacher excellence, and make our schools the very best.”

Matt Peterie

Engineering & Physics, ONWHS

Eudora Schools Parent

My wife Shelby and I moved to Eudora in 2008 shortly after our marriage and we have four children.  We were welcomed into the community with open arms and enjoy the many young families and great schools that form the cornerstone of this town.  Our kids love Eudora Elementary and they are excited to play and grow with the great school staff and friends that support them every day.  Every time we are around town they run down someone for a hug and it goes to show how Eudora invests its heart and soul into making sure every child feels the love and care they need to develop into young adults ready to pursue their dreams.  As a member of the foundation board I am inspired by the talent, creativity and passion our district staff possesses.  It motivates me to support and recognize the school’s tremendous efforts to provide an exceptional education that serves our young people so they know how much we appreciate the critical service they provide to the community.

Belinda Rehmer

Retired Communications Manager, LMH

Eudora Schools Parent

Watching the Eudora School District transform from a “small school” mentality with very high drop out rates and the unacceptably low math and reading scores of the 80’s, to being a district of distinction today has brought me much pride in our district! Four of my five children and one grandchild have graduated from EHS and we now have a grandson at EMS. I am so proud of our district! I am committed to help fulfill the dreams of educating Eudora students in innovative and student-centric ways leading to lifelong success. Being a past board of education member, I see how Eudora Schools Foundation allows our community to be a part of educational excellence, by financially supporting our teachers in ways the schools are unable to afford!

Ken Sarber

Director of Education, LMH

Eudora Schools Parent

My wife and I moved to Eudora in 2004, because we wanted to be a part of a small, quiet, and friendly community, but we stayed in Eudora because of the great things we heard about the school system. We have two girls at EES. Everything we heard about Eudora Schools was true. Our girls love their teachers and we have had nothing but great experiences with the school system going above and beyond our expectations. When asked to be a part of the Eudora Schools Foundation I was thrilled at getting an opportunity to have a way to give back to the teachers that work every day to find creative ways to keep our kids engaged in learning.

Bryan Maring

Board of Education Representative

Eudora Schools Parent

Our family moved to Eudora in 2005. We decided on Eudora because of its school system and small community values. We could not have made a better decision as the schools in Eudora have provided more opportunities for our daughters then most school districts and we have seen growth in them not only educationally but socially and civically.  Why is the Eudora School system as strong as it is? When they say “education should be local” the Eudora community is the model community to demonstrate its commitment to the students and faculty. Being a part of the Eudora School Board and Eudora Schools Foundation, I have witnessed this strong bond between the community and its students.  I am honored to have been elected to the Eudora School Board but more proud to live in a community dedicated to the future of the children of Eudora.

Steve Splichal

Superintendent, USD #491 (ex-officio)

Eudora Schools Parent

I am passionate about great teaching and learning, Kansas schools and communities, and most importantly, remarkable kids. I wholeheartedly believe that Eudora Schools and the Eudora community encompass all of these. 

Over the past five years, all three of my children have attended Eudora schools. During their time here, they have experienced great teachers, lasting friendships, a caring community, and opportunities to help shape their lives beyond high school. Knowing that all Eudora children have similar opportunities available to them not only makes me proud of Eudora but also excited for the future of Eudora.

The Eudora Schools Foundation helps make it possible for our teachers and district to dream big for students. Through the support of the various grants and programs, Eudora students will continue to have access to great teaching and learning, caring communities and schools, and most importantly opportunities to be remarkable.  

Shanda Hurla, MS Ed., Executive Director

I truly enjoy working for the Eudora Schools Foundation. I am passionate about public education and the role that education it has our community. I have found that our small community is mighty and generous in its support.

When it comes to giving our Eudora students the education they need and deserve, public funds are simply inadequate. ESF helps to fill that gap, allowing Eudora Schools to sustain and expand innovative programs that might otherwise disappear from schools.

It is the role of the Eudora Schools Foundation to support district innovation, to enhance student opportunities, to reward teacher excellence, and make our schools the very best. We fund innovative academic initiatives through classroom grants, student enrichment programs, staff development and recognition, and ultimately grow our endowment to ensure student success, today and long into the future. I have personally seen the investment and contributions from our community to make our schools the best - we are mighty, we are generous!

My husband and I moved into the district in 2001 because of the excellent reputation of the schools. Our three of our four children now attend schools within the district. As a parent, I know the importance of quality education and value the district’s tradition of excellence and desire for innovation. I look forward to continuing the Foundation’s work to make Eudora Schools a “Destination District".

Student Intern