Who We Are
Vann Price, Ed.D.
Associate Superintendent for Human Resources
Dr. Vann Price assists in the selection process of district administrators. She is responsible for the staff appraisal process, professional growth, staffing allocations, disciplinary action, district Title IX officer and EAP referrals. The Human Resources Division is directly responsible for all personnel functions as well as Risk Management, Staff Development and employee benefits.
(402) 436-1575
vprice@lps.org
Michealla King-Gray
Assistant to the Associate Superintendent for Human Resources
Assists the Associate Supt. of HR with the hiring of administrators, processing of changes, leaves of absences, transfers and resignations for administrators, Scottish Rite, 25 year recognition, and retirement ceremonies. Responsible for HR board agenda items. (402) 436-1592 mgray@lps.org
Kristen Finley
Supervisor of Elementary Personnel Services
Recruit and place elementary teacher vacancies, process teacher transfers, provide support service including promotion and counseling, manage the gifted mentor program, coordinate college field placements and tuition credit/professional enhancement.
(402) 436-1577
kfinley@lps.org
Ryan Escamilla
Supervisor of Secondary Education / Director of Recruitment
Recruit and place secondary teacher transfers, provide support service including promotions and counseling, Leadership Development Program, summer school staffing and Extra Standard assignments.
(402) 436-1576
mescami@lps.org
Jenny Fundus
Supervisor for Special Programs Personnel
Responsible for the recruitment of certificated candidates. Recruit and place special programs (special education and federal programs) certificated transfers, provide support service including promotions and counseling. Manage SmartFind staff and substitute teachers.
(402) 436-1596
jfundus@lps.org
Peter Ferguson
Multicultural Coordinator and Scholar Development / Assistant Supervisor of Recruiting
Responsible for developing programs that foster belonging and well-being for staff, scholar development, and families. Assists with district recruitment efforts.
(402) 436-1974
pfergus@lps.org
Barb Miller
Emerging Educators Empowerment Specialist
Responsible for overseeing the implementation and management of district "Grow Your Own" initiatives, including the Para Pathway Project Cadres, Educators Rising Chapters, and LPS Former Student/Future Teacher Connections.
(402) 436-1587
millerb@lps.org
Caroline Knuth
ADA Coordinator/Employee Benefits Specialist
Ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and related state and federal laws pertaining to accommodations and accessibility. Evaluates requests for accommodations based on the needs of staff and visitors. Caroline also assists with the successful administration of benefit plans for classified staff including FMLA administration.
(402) 436-1382
cknuth@lps.org
Genelle Moore
Background Investigation/HR Specialist
Conduct thorough background checks on applicants and employees. Responsible for the recruitment, interviewing, selection and support of school based technicians, maintenance, facilities, distribution center staff and transportation drivers/paras.
(402) 436-1573
gmoore@lps.org
Marla Styles
Human Resources Specialist
Responsible for the recruitment, interviewing, selection and support of paraeducators and bilingual interpreters.
(402) 436-1579
mstyles@lps.org
Mike Von Kaenel
Human Resources Specialist
Responsible for the recruitment, interviewing, selection and support of office personnel, custodial, and nutrition services staff. Works with staff development on activities benefiting classified personnel.
(402) 436-1597
mvonkaen@lps.org
Kren Shellhase
Office Manager
Supervise front office support staff, coordinate office functions, payroll, prepare board agenda, job postings and application system assistance.
(402) 436-1594
kshellha@lps.org
Grady Blase
Technical Assistant
Responsible for teacher certification, seniority lists, assist with preparation of state and federal reports, assists with extra standard stipends.
(402) 436-1581
gblase@lps.org
Katie Bender
Office Professional, Secondary Certified Staffing
Assist the Supervisor of Secondary Personnel Services with the hiring of secondary certified staff, process staffing changes, leaves of absence, transfers and resignation of secondary teachers.
(402) 436-1482
kbender@lps.org
Nichole Bernt
Office Professional, Certified Special Programs
Assist the Director of Recruiting/ Supervisor of Special Programs with the hiring of special education certified staff, process staffing changes, leaves of absence, transfers and resignation of special education teachers.
(402) 436-1584
nbernt@lps.org
Susie Mendoza
Office Professional, Elementary Certified Staffing
Assist the Supervisor of Elementary Personnel Services with the hiring of elementary certified staff, process staffing changes, leaves of absence, transfers and resignation of elementary teachers.
(402) 436-1585
smendoza@lps.org
Krissa Sanders
Office Professional, Classified Staffing
Provide support services for the placement and interviewing of of school based technicians, maintenance, facilities, distribution center staff, coaches, and transportation drivers/paras.
(402) 436-1587
ksanders@lps.org
Vonnie Fredrick
Office Professional, Classified Staffing
Provides support services for the placement and interviewing of paraeducators, bilingual interpreters, and district based technicians.
(402) 436-1583
vfredric@lps.org
Cherry Cornell
Office Professional, Classified Staffing
Provide support services for the placement, testing and interviewing of gifted mentors, clerical, custodial, and nutrition services applicants and staff.
(402) 436-1590
ccornell@lps.org
Amanda Christiansen
Office Professional, Backgrounds and Recruitment Support
Assists and organizes certified and classified recruiting communication and events. Also responsible for submitting and maintaining background check data for new employees. Handles Horizontal Advancement process for Certified Staff.
(402) 436-1599
achristi@lps.org
Jerilynn Robinson
Receptionist/Records Retention Office Professional
Manages the process for submitted transcripts and enters applicable education stipends. Processes all employment verifications. Also assists in onboarding and serves as a backup HR Receptionist.
(402) 436-1598
jrobinso@lps.org
Karin Meyer
Receptionist/Employee Records Office Professional
Directs incoming calls and handles onboarding of new employees; maintains employee and applicant files; responsible for scanning HR documents; assists with building and badge access.
(402) 436-1582
kmeyer5@lps.org
Jessie Edwards
Receptionist/Employee Records Office Professional
Directs incoming calls and handles onboarding of new employees; maintains employee and applicant files; responsible for scanning HR documents; manages building and badge access. Processes work authorization forms.
(402) 436-1574
jedward4@lps.org
Jean Clough
District Office Receptionist
Direct incoming District Office calls and direct District Office visitors to departments.
(402) 436-1000
clough@lps.org
Blake Simpson
Director of Employee Relations, Benefits and Personnel
Leads the Employee Relations and Benefits Departments, serves as the chief negotiator with the district’s nine employee groups and coordinates human resources personnel operations. Drafts and updates employee contracts, board policies and personnel handbooks. Trains and advises district leaders on all aspects of state and federal law as well as compliance with the district’s policies and procedures. Finally, manages the recruitment, interviewing, selection and support for the district’s technicians.
(402) 436-1571
bsimpso3@lps.org
Julie McAndrew
Employee Benefits Manager — Administrators/Certificated Specialist
Manages and Coordinates the day to day operations of the Benefits Team. Coordinates the successful administration of benefits plans for all administrative and certificated benefit eligible staff and dependents. Employee benefit plans include health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, flexible benefit plans, critical illness and accident insurance, as well as the district’s 403(b) plans and school retirement. Conducts Family & Medical Leave Act, maternity and disability conferences for certificated staff.
(402) 436-1595
jmcandre@lps.org
Caroline Knuth
ADA Coordinator/Employee Benefits Specialist
Ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and related state and federal laws pertaining to accommodations and accessibility. Evaluates requests for accommodations based on the needs of staff and visitors. Caroline also assists with the successful administration of benefit plans for classified staff including FMLA administration.
(402) 436-1382
cknuth@lps.org
Laura Kortum
Benefits Technician
Manages the communications of the department, including the benefits email account, all benefits marketing materials, critical benefits reports and NPERS verifications, the accounting / reconciliation for various benefits offerings, the borrowed / donated leave program, military orders process, and coordinating the communication with many of our third-party insurance providers. Provides important clerical functions for the department.
(402)436-1578
lkortum@lps.org
Laurie Oxley
Employee Benefits/Wellness Technician
As the Benefits and Wellness Technician, supports the District’s initiatives to promote and improve the health and wellness of employees, as well as providing support to the
Benefits Department with education of employees regarding the various benefit plans LPS offers.
(402) 436-1593
loxley@lps.org
Michelle Welch
LPS District Wellness Facilitator
Responsible for creation and facilitation of student and staff wellness across the district. Welch works with district leadership, building administrators and wellness champions, LPS insurance providers, community collaborators and more to create a culture of wellness including all aspects of staff, students and families. Staff and student wellness efforts are integrated whenever possible as a best practice.
(402) 436-1728
mwelch@lps.org
Darbi Umholtz
SmartFind Operator
Responsible for SmartFind system and substitute placements. Processes annual leave blackout day and civic leave approvals. Manages professional leave activity ID approvals and program processes. Assists with college field placements.
(402) 436-1589
dumholtz@lps.org
CAITLIN MARROW
Secretary, Substitute Staffing
Assists with the hiring of substitute teachers. Responsible for professional leaves and local substitutes. Processing of all loan forgiveness applications.
(402) 436-1588
subteach@lps.org
Blake Simpson
Director of Employee Relations, Benefits and Personnel
Leads the Employee Relations and Benefits Departments, serves as the chief negotiator with the district’s nine employee groups and coordinates human resources personnel operations. Drafts and updates employee contracts, board policies and personnel handbooks. Trains and advises district leaders on all aspects of state and federal law as well as compliance with the district’s policies and procedures. Finally, manages the recruitment, interviewing, selection and support for the district’s technicians.
(402) 436-1571
bsimpso3@lps.org
Nancy Hoppe
HRIS and Compensation Administrator
Work with the Director of Employee Relations and Personnel regarding negotiations for all employee groups, including data collection and analysis of proposals/counterproposals. Coordinate the district's compliance with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Collaborate with the Computing Services department in the planning, review, testing, and implementation of HRIS system upgrades or enhancements.
(402) 436-1572
nhoppe@lps.org
Meagan Coleman
Technical Coordinator
Preparation of state and federal reports/surveys. Assist Director of Employee Relations, Benefits and Personnel and HR Specialist for Employee Relations, Compensation and Benefits.
(402) 436-1586
mcoleman@lps.org
