A teaching assistant at Logan High School is the newest member elected to the Board of the La Crosse Public Education Foundation.

Byron Holz

Byron Holz has been a teaching assistant for the LaCrossroads program at Logan High School for the last five years. Before returning to the area to care for elderly parents, he taught seventh grade in southwestern Wisconsin.

Holz has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Viterbo University, a master’s degree in education from UW-La Crosse, and did graduate work in zoology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He has volunteered with various causes, including a stint on the board of Madison-based New Harvest Foundation.

Holz joins three others who have been elected to the Board in recent months — all three were previously announced. They succeed members whose terms ended. The other new members are:

Mark Brumm, a family physician at Mayo Clinic Health System.

Angela Erdenberger, the Credit Analyst Supervisor at Coulee Bank.

Heidi Odegaard, a Community Engagement professional employed by Mayo Clinic Health System.

The mission of the La Crosse Public Education Foundation is to enhance learning opportunities for students in the School District of La Crosse and to promote community understanding and support for public education. LPEF was founded in 1988 by some very forward-looking La Crosse residents who were passionate in their support of public education in La Crosse.

The Foundation expects to provide more than $325,000 in support in 2020 to students and staff in the School District of La Crosse. This includes about $92,000 in grants to promote classroom innovation and about $30,000 for Random Acts of Kindness to meet needs of students in areas such as nutrition, hygiene, clothing, and transportation.

LPEF Board members are elected to three-year terms and may serve two terms. Learn more about the Board here.