Two community activists and parents of children in La Crosse schools have been elected to three-year terms on the Board of the La Crosse Public Education Foundation.

Katie Berkedal

Katie Berkedal is the fund allocation manager at Gundersen Medical Foundation. She is a Central High School graduate and received her bachelor’s degree in Social Advocacy and Communication from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. She and her husband, Sam Servais (an art teacher at Onalaska High School) have two children at SOTA I Elementary (second and fourth grade). She is finishing a term as president of GROW La Crosse and is active in other organizations, including the Rotary Club of La Crosse.

Adam Kendle

Adam Kendle is a CPA and the owner of Gillette & Associates, LLC CPAs. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. He and his wife, Katie, have two children at Emerson Elementary (kindergarten and third grade). Adam has been involved coaching his sons sports teams through the YMCA.  Recently, he helped build the outdoor classroom at Harry Spence Elementary School.  Katie made the choice to stay home with the kids and spends time volunteering in the classrooms at Emerson Elementary.

The new board members replace two outgoing members of the LPEF Board. Judy Sleik, a retired teacher and longtime community volunteer, is leaving the Board after completing her two three-year terms. Mai Chao Duddeck has resigned from the Board after two years due to a job change.

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 $200,000 in support in 2018 to students and staff in the School District of La Crosse. This includes more than $70,000 in Gold Star Grants to promote classroom innovation and about $25,000 for Random Acts of Kindness to meet needs of students in areas such as nutrition, hygiene, clothing, and transportation.