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ABOUT US
INTRODUCTION
The Mead Education Foundation is a non-profit organization that has been formed in support of students and staff of the Mead School District. The mission of the foundation is to foster excellence in learning for all students of the Mead School District through private fundraising and the establishment of a permanent endowment. The Mead Education Foundation is a non-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. All donations to the foundation are tax-deductible.
MISSION STATEMENT
By Partnering With The Mead School District And Community, The Mead Education Foundation Will Inspire Educators And Learners By Investing In Innovation And Collaboration.
WHAT WE DO
PRINCIPAL'S CHECKBOOK
Each school is allocated up to $400 per school year. The Foundation allows the school a wide level of discretion to spend your "checkbook" funds to help your students in need.
GRANTS
Each year we review requests, looking for the most innovative, educational and down right awesome projects to fund. Apply for a grant!
PARTNERING WITH THE SCHOOLS
Through teachers volunteering for our board, we can get a in-depth understanding of our schools and the students/teachers we have helped. Don't wait time, volunteer for our board!
SCHOLARSHIPS
Once a year, through the Matthew Hopkins Memorial Fund, the foundation gifts out Scholarships to students. Apply now!
EXPERIENCE
Our board comprises of multiple different talents; teachers, managers, bankers, small business owners, and accountants. Each one brings their own ideas and skill set to our board. .
BOARD MEMBERS
Steve Silbar
Board President
Originally from Chicago, Steve moved to Spokane in 2002 from Los Angeles. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stout with a bachelor's degree in Hotel Management and received a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University in 2011. Steve is a local realtor with John L Scott Real Estate, and he has been serving his clients since 2016. He was a TV host on American Dream TV and has been featured in the NY Times, Fox Business, and Homelight.com. Before real estate, he spent 20 years in the hotel industry managing sales and marketing nationwide and 10 years in the technology field serving hotels. He has recruited and led sales teams covering North America for multiple organizations and start-ups alike.
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Steve is proud to serve on the Mead Education Foundation Board, where he has served since 2014. As a father of a 2024 Mead HS graduate and a Freshman at Mead High School, Steve is involved in the district as a supporter, volunteer, and proud parent.
Heather Havens
Board Member
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Heather Havens serves as Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Teaching in the Mead School District. Before joining Mead, Heather served as a teacher and principal assistant in Spokane Public Schools, where she honed her skills in fostering student success and supporting students and educational staff. With a passion for innovative teaching practices and a commitment to academic excellence, Heather is dedicated to removing barriers and providing opportunities for success for ALL students.
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Heather is proud to serve on the Mead Education Foundation. She understands the complexities of being a teacher and is excited to be a part of an organization that is committed to providing tools and resources to enhance their practice.
Olivia Havens
Board Member, Student Advisor
Olivia Havens is a junior in high school who attends Mead Learning Options while also completing college coursework through the Running Start program at Spokane Falls Community College. Passionate about helping others, Olivia plans to pursue a career in nursing after graduation. A natural caregiver, Olivia is driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, playing volleyball, and spending quality time with her friends and family. Her compassion, work ethic, and dedication to serving others shine through in everything she does.
Reagan Silbar
Past Board Member, Student Advisor
Good luck at BC!​
Dan Kolbet
Board Vice President
Dan Kolbet was born and raised in Spokane, attending North Central High School. He earned a BA in Journalism, with a minor in History in 2001 from Gonzaga University. He went on to earn an MBA from the University of Phoenix in 2010. Dan has served in many different roles at Avista Corp since 2007, including Communications Manager, Human Resources Manager, Operations Manager and Employee Experience Program Manager.
Dan has two boys in the Mead School District, and two grown daughters. As a hobby novelist, Dan has published seven novels, with more on the way. Dan is excited to serve on the Mead Education Foundation since 2023, helping educators and students.
Sarah Featherly
Board Member
Sarah is a social worker and education leader who joined the Mead Education Foundation to help strengthen innovative education pathways for students and families across the Mead community. With experience leading workforce and education initiatives and overseeing field education for social work students statewide, she is deeply committed to collaboration, community voice, and systems that expand opportunity. Sarah believes lasting change is built through relationships, shared learning, and investments that support students and families to thrive. Sarah lives in Mead with her son, Sam (Mead middle-schooler), her partner, Dan (Mead alum), and her two canine fur-balls, Bridger and Lucy.
Kim Kolodrub
Board Member
Coming Soon​
James Faucett
Board Member
Coming Soon​
Board Member
Greg McGuire
Coming Soon​