Board of Directors

Details, meeting minutes, and agendas.

Next Board of Directors Meeting

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 6:30 pm
Location: 6717 85th Ave North, Brooklyn Park, MN


Minnesota law specifies the makeup of the Board of Directors of the school. It must have members from each of the previous groups of adults working with the school. All board members must complete criminal background checks, sign a code of conduct and a conflict of interest document before they can serve on the board. Collectively the board is responsible for the success of the school, including all hiring, financial resources, and operations of the school.

Mark
Eilers

Term: 2021-2024
Community Member
Chair of the Board
Email

Mark’s extensive educational and professional background lays in the area of Building Engineering and Management.  As a community leader, Mark has experience serving on a charter school board in a capacity of a treasurer and a Board chair.   He was instrumental in helping another charter school recover from administrational mistakes and rebuild its fund balance.  Mark’s passion for the charter schools comes from a firm believe that charter school environment is very important as an alternative to the traditional public schools. Mark has joined the Nasha Shkola board in June of 2016 and served as a treasurer.   He has helped Nasha Shkola to deal with the challenges, stabilize and grow.

Natalya
Johnson

Term: 2020-2023
Teacher
Email

Natalya Johnson is a second-grade teacher at Nasha Shkola. Natalya was born in Moscow, Russia and moved to the United States when she was eight years old. She has a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. “Serving on the school board has provided me with an opportunity to be part of a team that looks to further build the school. Helping to provide input in navigating the school to continual success is a rewarding experience.”

Nicole Nelson

Nicole
Nelson

Term: 2021-2023
Community Member
Email

Ms. Nelson has served as a classroom teacher and administrator for over 15 years in charter schools. Her experience also includes serving on charter school boards. Ms. Nelson earned her bachelor’s degree in social studies education from St. Olaf College and holds a master’s degree and education specialist degree from Concordia University. She is licensed in social studies education (grades 5-12) and holds a K-12 principal’s license. Ms. Nelson has served as a cadre for Innovative Quality Schools, an independent educational consultant and professor in the department of education at Minnesota State University Mankato. Ms. Nelson currently serves as Co-founder and Director of Progeny Academy in Brooklyn Center.

Peter Keller

Peter
Keller

Term: 2022-2025
Parent
Email

Peter Keller is a Police Sergeant with a Master’s Degree in Public Safety Executive Leadership. As a Sergeant, Peter serves as a leader in his city, supervising staff, assigning and overseeing work activities, as well as managing any other executive or facility needs. Throughout his Law Enforcement career, he has had extensive experience working within schools to establish strong partnerships with educators and students, as well as protect the safety of the learning environment. As a Russian language speaker from an immigrant family, he also regularly works with members of the Russian-speaking community to help communicate and properly triage their needs. As a parent, he sees the value and importance of studying the Russian language and culture, not just for his own child, but for children of all backgrounds, to better understand and appreciate this growing segment of our community.

Lydia Tonoyan

Lydia
Tonoyan

Term: 2022-2024
Parent
Email

Lydia is a researcher and a prospect manager for a fundraising team at the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, a non-profit working with the population facing homelessness. In addition, she is a project manager for the Communications and Marketing Department at the Mission. Lydia is serving on the Board of Directors of the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (Apra)-Minnesota Chapter, and on a Membership Committee of the Apra-International. She has been serving as a Sunday School/Children’s Programs Director at Saint Sahag Armenian Church, Saint Paul, for 10 years. In addition, Lydia teaches life skills class for women and children at the recovery center in Saint Paul. Lydia would like to contribute her skills and education to enhance the academic and social experience of children in Nasha Shkola. As a parent of a student, she is deeply invested in the quality of education and the overall success of the school.

All chartered schools in Minnesota must be authorized by an organization approved by the Minnesota Department of Education.   Innovative Quality Schools (IQS), which was approved by MDE in December 2010, is the authorizer of Nasha Shkola. Refer to www.iqsmn.org for more information about IQS. To communicate with a representative of Innovative Quality Schools, contact Laurie Schroeder, Director at lschroeder@iqsmn.org, 651-234-0900.

Board meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 pm (unless otherwise noted) at Nasha Shkola. ALL ARE WELCOME! The Finance Committee meets at 5:30pm prior to the board meeting.

Board of Directors Meeting Agenda: February 20, 2024

Meeting Agenda for upcoming Board of Directors Meeting.

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Board of Directors Meeting Minutes: December 19, 2023

Meeting Minutes for most recent Board of Directors Meeting.

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About Nasha Shkola

Nasha Shkola — Russian for Our School — is an academically rigorous K-8 charter school, providing a highly-structured learning environment for students interested in Russian language and culture.

Contact Us

    School Info

    Nasha Shkola
    6717 85th Ave North
    Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

    Phone: 763-496-5550
    Fax: 763-424-8520

    School Hours
    Monday – Friday:
    8:30 am – 4:30 pm

    Office Hours
    Monday – Friday:
    8 am – 4 pm