Board of Directors Applicants List & Bios

Dear ASA Stakeholders:
The Art and Science Academy Board of Directors has been seeking applicants to fill upcoming openings. You will find a bit of information about each candidate at the end of this email.
Voting will take place online during the business day on February 23rd and results will be announced that evening at the Annual Meeting, which will take place immediately following the 5:00 Board Meeting. Specific information on how to vote will be coming soon. Openings include:
  • 2 ASA Parents
  • 3 ASA Teachers
  • 1 Community Member
Thank you,
ASA Board of Directors

ASA Board Member Applicant Bios

Parents (Seeking two)

Christy Flaspeter, Incumbent

In addition to my 30+ years business and life experience as an HR manager with relevant experience in employee development, personnel management and strategic planning, I have participated on many community boards, currently with ARCC Advisory Board, in the recent past with MRET – work comp trust (board member committee chair) the MJSP (combination of businesses and schools working towards preparing students for the future addressing business needs) as Board Chair, Cambridge Chamber (board member and board chair), and Cambridge Lutheran Church (board member and board chair) to name a few. 

Joshua Goudge

I bring with me 14 years of continued military service in a variety of leadership roles as well as extensive managerial and supervisory experience. I am currently employed by the St. Cloud VA Healthcare System where I supervise the Eligibility and Enrollment department.

Christopher Mendez

I am a Restorative (restorative justice) Facilitator at Legal Rights Center. Through this main role, part time independent contracts, and community service I provide direct services and/or capacity building support to school districts, courts, and community. 

I received my PhD in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University (School of Humanities and Social Sciences), and a BA in Social Psychology from Florida Atlantic University.  My professional experiences range considerably: naval military security, retail management, higher educational editing, writing instruction and training, international manufacturing management, middle/high school instruction (private-school setting), higher education academic affairs, refugee case management for trauma-informed minors, and program development and implementation in mediation and restorative practices.

 Brittany Bailey

My name is Brittany Bailey and I am interested in joining the school board for a couple reasons. I currently have one child who attends ASA and I also have two younger children who will join him at ASA over the next couple years. I am very interested in being involved as much as I can in my children’s school and doing my part in making it a better place for them and other children in the community.

While I do not have previous experience serving on a school board of any kind, I am a quick learner and dedicated. I have worked with people for over fifteen years, and I try to become involved in the community as much as I can. I currently have an Associate’s degree in Psychology and I pride myself on my work ethic. I believe that if given the chance I would be an asset to the school board.

 Teachers (Seeking three)

Carmel Leasure, Incumbent

My name is Carmel Leasure.  I am in my 5th year of teaching at ASA Elementary as its Music Specialist and, as such, have a vested interest in the success and creative and financial growth of our school.  Prior to my time at ASA, I worked in ISD15 as a community theater music director, long-term music substitute, and have run my own business (private music instruction) for more than 25 years.  

 Nathan Severson, Incumbent

I am currently a middle school teacher at ASA representing ASA’s growing music program. Through my 6 years working here and 2 years of board service I believe that I have a solid history of recognizing ASA’s positive impact on its community, and helping the organization work through some of its challenges.

My 2 years of serving have made me comfortable working with ASA’s board. As a middle school voice on the board I bring more perspective to high level decisions and speak for the staff and student community at the secondary building. I believe having members of the board who work regularly with the middle school students leads the board towards more informed decisions, and connects the middle school community to the board.

Kara Dahl, Incumbent

I have taught at ASA since its inception in 2014 and am proud of the wonderful community that it is today. I have enjoyed serving on the board, representing teachers, for the past six years, and would be honored to continue doing so. 

Community Members (Seeking one)

Roberta Provost, Incumbent

I have been on the ASA board since 2017 and have served as its board chair since 2019.  All three of my children attended ASA from the very first year.  My youngest child is in 8th grade and is part of the first class to have attended ASA from Kindergarten through the 8th grade.

I am proud to have helped ASA navigate the challenges it has faced from its first year until now.  If re-elected, this will be my final term.  Considering this, my final three goals are to ensure that ASA remains financially sound to eventually support a high school; to solidify an organizational structure that makes sense for a school our size; and to provide a strong knowledge base for the next generation of board leadership.