meet the advisory board
chair: steve uban
Steve, along with his wife, Nicolle, and son moved to the area in 2012. They chose to live in Pillager because of how impressed they were with the Pillager school. Steve is serving his second term on the school board as well as on the Board of the Innovative Schools Project. He loves music and being outdoors doing almost anything.
Innovation is a part of Steve's job and he feels that we need to be more innovative in our educational system. He joined the Education Foundation to provide teachers with resources for them to be innovative and try new approaches to educating our youth. “We learn more from our failures than from our successes.”
Innovation is a part of Steve's job and he feels that we need to be more innovative in our educational system. He joined the Education Foundation to provide teachers with resources for them to be innovative and try new approaches to educating our youth. “We learn more from our failures than from our successes.”
secretary: NEAL GAALSWYK
Neal is a 1973 graduate of Pillager High School. He and his wife Kathy have three children, Melanie (’00), Luke (’03) and Mark (’03). Neal is a former Pillager School Board member and currently serves our area as the Cass County Commissioner from District 1. Neal is retired law enforcement officer. He and his brother Don run a custom grazing operation on the family farm, 3 miles west of Pillager.
Neal says, “I serve on the Pillager Education Foundation Board because I truly believe that keeping kids engaged in and excited about learning is the most important thing we can do for our community.”
Neal says, “I serve on the Pillager Education Foundation Board because I truly believe that keeping kids engaged in and excited about learning is the most important thing we can do for our community.”
treasurer: VACANT
Please contact us if you are interested in learning more about this opportunity.
board: Greg Bennett
board: Missy Berry
Missy, along with her husband, Seth, and 2 daughters moved to Pillager in 2012. Missy began working at Pillager School in 2016 and is the Business Manager for the school district. In her free time she enjoys reading, camping and spending time with her family. She joined the Education Foundation to be a resource to the Board and also believes every child deserves a quality education driven by innovative educators.
board: dawn espe
Dawn works for Region Five Development Commission and serves on the Five Wings Art Council board. Gardening, camping, reading and hanging with family is how she likes to spend her time. She has a son who attends Pillager school and her husband, Erik, is the Pillager School Choir Director.
She is passionate about rural life, local foods, arts and culture, and quality of life for ALL.
She is passionate about rural life, local foods, arts and culture, and quality of life for ALL.
board: margaret knable
board: mike malmberg
Mike has been the Superintendent of the Pillager School District since 2015, having worked in education for over 30 years. He administers the policies of the School Board, as well as provides leadership to a growing school district of approximately 1,200 students. His responsibilities include overseeing, planning and implementing the district strategic plan, driving a comprehensive curriculum, and building and strengthening relationships with parents and the community.
In his free time, Mike enjoys hunting, fishing, and the lakes area.
In his free time, Mike enjoys hunting, fishing, and the lakes area.
board: dave olson
Dave was hired in August 2018 as the new Director of Teaching and Curriculum for Pillager Schools. Dave serves the district in various leadership capacities and handles the work in teacher instruction and coaching, curriculum guidance and purchasing, standards based reporting and grading, along with staff development training and opportunities.
"I am so excited to serve Pillager Schools in the role of Director of Teaching and Curriculum, and very excited to part of the Education Foundation. Helping teachers with innovative ways to inspire and educate; and then see that education throughout the PK-adult continuum is what any educator strives to be a part of."
"I am so excited to serve Pillager Schools in the role of Director of Teaching and Curriculum, and very excited to part of the Education Foundation. Helping teachers with innovative ways to inspire and educate; and then see that education throughout the PK-adult continuum is what any educator strives to be a part of."
board: Mike parrish
Mike is happily married to Stephanie and has four boys. They have lived in Pillager for the past 12 years and are excited to have their boys in the Pillager School District. He is a 5th Grade Teacher and is a huge fan of the wonderful culture of excellence that has already been established with the district.
Mike is part of the Pillager Ed Foundation because he believes that we all need to take an active role in supporting those organizations that pour into a positive future for our students that will be shaping the world of tomorrow.
Mike is part of the Pillager Ed Foundation because he believes that we all need to take an active role in supporting those organizations that pour into a positive future for our students that will be shaping the world of tomorrow.
board: sue van hal
Sue is the parent of 2 alumni, Former Board Member for Dollars for Scholars, Board Member for Pillager Family Council, Community Connection and Communication Director at Pillager School. She is a member of several community groups such as the Pillager Area Lions and Pillager History group. She has served on the Pillager Education Foundation since inception in 2012.
