Alton Educational Foundation

We enhance educational opportunities, support academic excellence and encourage student achievement in the Alton School District.

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What is the Alton Educational Foundation?

The Alton Educational Foundation, AEF, raises funds for innovative projects throughout the Alton School District. These funds are used to provide enhanced educational opportunitiessupports academic excellence, and encourage student achievement.

Currently, the Alton Educational Foundation Board of Directors is comprised of eleven local advocates for public education, including business owners, parents, teachers, retired educators, and district representatives. Over the past twenty years, volunteers have launched numerous fundraising efforts, including Redbird Raffles and memorial brick sales, and bench sales.

Mission Statement

The Alton Educational Foundation’s Mission is to raise funds for innovative projects that provide enhanced educational opportunities, support academic excellence and encourage student achievement throughout the Alton Community Unit School District.

Alton Education Foundation Video

Interested in learning more? Click the link to watch our video and see the impact of the work you make possible.

Ex-Officio Board Members

Mayor Mike McCormick

Village of Godfrey

Mayor David Goins

City of Alton

Elaine Kane - Superintendent

Superintendent, Alton School District

Dr. Ken Trzaska

President, Lewis and Clark Community College

John Keller

President, RiverBend Growth Association

Who are the Board Members?

The Alton Educational Foundation, AEF, Board is currently comprised of ten local advocates for public education, including business owners, parents, teachers, retired educators, and district representatives. Are you interested in being a board member

Cathy Droste

Chairperson

Cathy was born and raised in the Alton/Godfrey area. She is a 1980 graduate of Alton High School and earned her BS in Special Education and MS in Educational Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. In 2018, Cathy retired from the Alton School District after 33 years in education. In addition to serving on the AEF Board, Cathy is a member of the Alton Community Service League, St. Mary’s School Board, and is active in the St. Mary’s Parish Community. Cathy and her husband, Mark, reside in Godfrey. They have two sons, Alex and Nick, a daughter-in-law, Nick’s wife Maddi, and one grandson, George.

Ann McLaughlin

Vice Chairperson

Ann is a 2020 retiree from the Alton School District, where she served as a teacher, Literary Coach, and Assistant Principal. She married her high school sweetheart, Miles, and they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in June 2022. Together, they have three daughters. Ann currently works part-time in the College for Life Program at Lewis and Clark Community College. Additionally, she is proud to serve as the Director of Children and Family Ministries at Godfrey First United Methodist Church.

Carrie Schildroth

Member

Carrie was born and raised in the Alton/ Godfrey area. She and her husband Brian both proudly graduated from Alton High School as did their two daughters, Katherine and Rebecca. They currently live in Godfrey and are very active in the community. Carrie received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Greenville College. Carrie has taught at
most of the elementary schools in the Alton School District and since 2015 has been a Computer Literacy teacher at Alton Middle School. Carrie is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Alton, currently serving as an Elder. In 2021 Carrie was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction
Award. Outside of work, Carrie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading and
Blues Hockey! Carrie is very excited to join the AEF and serves as the recording secretary.

Teri Trapani

Treasurer

Teri has over 15 years of experience working in education. She was the bookkeeper for Galesburg High School for nearly five years. After moving to Alton, Teri held an array of roles in the Alton School District before retiring as the Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent. Teri has a vast knowledge of accounting practices and grants management which has been extremely beneficial to the Foundation in her role as board treasurer. She earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, IL and took early childhood education classes at Western Illinois University. Prior to working for schools, Teri enjoyed time as a homemaker and teaching fitness classes. She has and continues to volunteer for many community organizations including working directly with youth at her church. Teri describes her proudest accomplishments as her three wonderful daughters. After retiring from the school district in 2023, Teri enjoys spending time with her husband, Phil, and their four grandchildren. Teri also enjoys traveling in addition to her volunteer efforts. 

Amanda Marko

Secretary

Amanda has been an elementary teacher in the Alton School District for over 26 years to date. A graduate of Staunton High School, Amanda earned her teaching degree in special education from Illinois State University. She previously served the Saints Peter and Paul and St. Ambrose Boards, the East Alton Beautification Committee and was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Educator Sorority that focuses on promoting the professional and personal growth of educators and educational excellence. She brings a strong educator perspective to the Board of Directors. Amanda has two children in the Alton School District. In addition to teaching, Amanda enjoys supporting her children’s activities, traveling, camping, shopping and spending time with her family and two dogs.

Stacey Noble-Loveland

Member

Stacey received her education from Alton School District schools and is a proud alumni of the class of ‘86. She furthered her education by earning her BS in Organizational Leadership from Greenville College and she also holds a MA in Gerontology from Lindenwood University. She has been the Director of Operations at Senior Services Plus, Inc. since May of 2021. Prior to this, she held several positions including: Director of Independent Living at the Esquiline, Executive Director at Cedarhurst Assisted Living & Memory Care, Executive Director of Foxes Grove Supportive Living, Marketing & Admissions Coordinator at Saint Clare’s Villa. Through the years, she served on many committees and volunteered with several organizations including: Alton Main Street, RiverBend Growth Association, The RiverBend Community Center, Tidalwaves Swim team, The Alzheimers association, ROAR, Alton Children’s Theatre, Alton Education Foundation, Got Your Six Support Dogs and Pride Beautification Inc. Her greatest accomplishment and joy is her son Ty, who is a 2016  AHS alumni and a 2020 graduate of Bradley University. Ty lives in Peoria with his wife, Catie and works in IT. She is also very proud of her Aussie Doodle – Super Cooper – who serves as a therapy dog visiting folks in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries, etc. spreading love and joy to all who meet him. Cooper also had a staring role in the production of Annie in 2024 at AHS. In her free time, Stacey enjoys time with my friends, playing golf, getting in lots of steps every day, summer, swimming and working in her yard.

Mirsad Kapetanovich

Member

Mirsad was born in the European country now known as Bosnia and Herzegovina. He graduated from the University of Zagreb in Croatia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering before moving to the United States in December 1996. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Information Management from Washington University in St. Louis, graduating in December 2001. Mirsad and his wife, Jennifer, live in Alton with their daughter, Nadja. He is employed as a senior mechanical designer at Nestlé Purina Pet Food Company in St. Louis. In his free time, Mirsad enjoys staying physically active, spending time with his family, and supporting his daughter as she pursues her dreams.

Phil Trapani

Member

Phil is a retired principal of Alton High School. He was responsible for planning and administrating the move from the old Alton High to the new Alton High School building. As Assistant Superintendent he was instrumental in the planning of combining two middle schools into the current Alton Middle School. After over 40 years of experience in education, in four communities, Phil and his wife, Teri, have made Alton their home.

Dan Ruppert

Member

Dan attended Ranken Technical College and graduated with an associate degree in electrical automation technology. Upon graduation, he worked in a factory as an electrician and instrumentation technician. After that time, Dan counted himself fortunate to be hired at Ameren Illinois as a Relay Technician and he has worked there for 11 years now. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time outdoors, biking, playing pickleball, sand volleyball, welding and tinkering with cars. One of his proudest accomplishments is the Dan Ruppert Vocational Scholarship he founded. Dan noted “it’s a great feeling to give to any charity but especially a deserving individual in the community you live in.” 

Kaylee Bowen-Rauscher

Member

Kaylee, a 2015 Alton High Graduate, brings a depth of experience to the board in the areas of healthcare and teaching. She holds a bachelor’s degree from SIUE and a master’s degree in nursing from Maryville University. She is a family nurse practitioner for BJC and an adjunct professor at Maryville University in their Family Nurse Practitioner Program. In addition to the AEF, Kaylee also dedicates her time to involvement in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Kaylee and her husband, Ryan, reside in Godfrey with their rescue dog, Olive. She enjoys spending time with family, hiking and traveling. Kaylee also enjoys running and is currently training for a half marathon!

Vicki Maher

Member

Bio Coming Soon!

Kristie Baumgartner

Executive Director

Kristie holds over 25 years of experience in education. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Blackburn College, a master’s degree from McKendree University, a specialist degree from the University of Arkansas and a doctorate degree in educational administration from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Kristie retired as superintendent from the Alton School District in 2024. She also held previous positions including grant writer and public relations coordinator, Director of Title I and Grants and as assistant superintendent. An experienced grant writer, Kristie secured over $40 million in competitive grants for the school district. She has volunteered for a number of community-based organizations and charitable activities within the community. Kristie enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.  

Calendar (2024-2025)

  • Board Meetings: 1st Thursday of each month – Senior Services Plus Board Room
  • Guardians of Education Recognition Event: February 12, 8:00 a.m. at NCG Cinema 
  • Grant Application Due Date Mid March 2025 
  • Presentation of Grant Awards Mid April 2025
  • Brunjes Scholarship Due Date Mid March 2025
  • Brunjes Scholarship Award Date Mid April 2025

Newsletters

The Alton Educational Foundation publishes an annual newsletter to recognize the AEF’s efforts. Would you like to view a past newsletter? You can view them here: 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024