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
Coordinator of Culture and Inclusion / Assistant Supervisor of Recruiting
Responsible for developing programs that foster inclusion and well-being for staff, scholar development, and families. Assists with district recruitment efforts.
(402) 436-1974
pfergus@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
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
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
Kren Shellhase
Office Manager
Supervise front office support staff, coordinate office functions, payroll, prepare board agenda, vacancy bulletin and advertising.
(402) 436-1594
kshellha@lps.org
Grady Blase
Technical Assistant
Responsible for teacher certification, seniority lists, assist with preparation of state and federal reports.
(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
Jean Clough
District Office Receptionist
Direct incoming District Office calls and direct District Office visitors to departments.
(402) 436-1000
clough@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
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) 436-1598
kmeyer5@lps.org
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. Processes work authorization forms.
(402) 436-1574
Jessie Edwards
Office Professional, Classified Staffing
Provides support services for the placement and interviewing of paraeducators, bilingual interpreters, and summer school personnel.
(402) 436-1583
jedward4@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
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
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
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
Kim Miller
Director, Risk Management
Oversees the comprehensive insurance and risk management program for the district. Responsible for directing the purchase of insurance programs, management of workers’ compensation, liability, unemployment, vehicle, COVID-19 programs and loss control activities. Responsible for identifying, measuring and managing insurable or hazard risks, promoting loss prevention, updating and monitoring compliance with insurance procedures and managing safety/risk management practices. Oversees the district's litigated liability, employment practices and workers’ compensation claims. Co-chairs the Health Care Response Team.
(402) 436-1759
millerk@lps.org
Michelle Hartley
Claims and Insurance Coordinator
Supervises workers' compensation and unemployment claims. Directs the programs to ensure the proper and efficient handling of claims. Assists the Director of Risk Management with litigated workers’ compensation claims and the Driver Review and Safety Committees. Ensures external reporting requirements are met with workers’ compensation insurance carriers and Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court. Conducts ergonomic evaluations
(402) 436-1591
mhartle@lps.org
Elizabeth Svoboda
Work Comp Case Management Nurse
Provides medical management of complex workers’ compensation claims and assists the employee in returning to pre-injury/pre-illness status. Assists with occupational health, discharge planning and home health care with a goal of ensuring high-quality care is delivered in accordance to the patient’s needs and in a cost-effective manner. Manages the COVID-19 contact tracing program. Conducts disease investigation, contact tracing and monitoring of staff diagnosed with COVID-19. Provides education as part of the COVID-19 communicable disease investigations. Works collaboratively with local public health department staff engaged in the response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
(402) 436-1768
esvoboda@lps.org
Audra Cotton
Work Comp Claims Handler
Responsible for worker's compensation claims and assists with unemployment claims. Collects information, conducts investigations and reviews claims for eligibility. Communicates claims management philosophy and strategy to staff, administrators and supervisors. Builds, maintains, and manages relationships with medical providers and other claims related parties. Assists in claims cost control. Contacts individuals about claims and coordinates the handling of benefits.
(402) 436-1761
acotton@lps.org
Lischelle VanEngen
Risk Management Technician
Manages the Damage, Loss and Theft (DLT), Electronic Device Repair and Replacement Program, Certificates of Insurance, District Death Benefit payout, Notary Bonds and COVID leave for the district. Supports the director of risk management regarding all aspects of the enterprise-wide risk management program. Provides accounting/reconciliation for workers’ compensation billing and various other insurance benefits. Assists with the management and administrative support for the Health Care Response Team.
(402) 436-1767
lvaneng2@lps.org
Holly Daugherty
Secretary, Risk Management
Reviews employee injury reports for irregularities, accuracy and completeness. Requests additional information, where necessary, for completion of claim processing. Requests and maintains workers compensation medical records, forms and billing. Provides support services to the Risk Management Office, and administrative support for Workers’ Compensation claims. Responsible for annual HR#5 Driving Abstract collection.
(402) 436-1760
hdaughe@lps.org
Brian O'Neill
Risk Management HRIS Technician
Provides support within the current Human Resources information systems (HRIS), the COVID-19 contact tracing smart sheets and a Risk Management information system (RMIS). This position will assist Risk Management staff and COVID-19 Contact Tracers with transmission of data between current systems.
(402) 436-1582
boneill@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. Manage building and badge access.
(402) 436-1586
mcoleman@lps.org
