Lionsgate Academy

2025 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS-ELECT NAMED BELOW

Our Board
The Board of Directors is responsible for governing, managing, and directing the affairs of Lionsgate Academy. The number of directors constituting the Board shall be not less than five nor more than nine following each election. For information regarding our Board Election Procedures, click here. 

• Three licensed teachers employed by Lionsgate Academy or providing instruction under a contract between Lionsgate Academy and a cooperative, in teaching positions
•  Three parents and/or legal guardians of one or more students currently enrolled at Lionsgate Academy each of whom is neither employed nor has within the last six months been employed by Lionsgate Academy
• Three community members, each of whom is neither employed nor has within the last six months been employed by Lionsgate Academy, nor the parent or guardian of any student(s) enrolled at Lionsgate Academy.

Meetings
LGA board meetings will be held in person as well as virtually at this time. The meeting agenda and link to attend these meetings will be posted on this page three (3) days in advance of the meeting. Board meetings begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. (with the exception for the February Strategic Planning Session).

Meeting Calendar:  2024-2025 School Board Meeting Calendar

Monthly Meeting Agenda:  June 17, 2025 Agenda

Join our monthly board meetings:

Meeting ID
meet.google.com/gmr-yqpj-ttq

Phone Numbers
(‪US‬)‪+1 484-546-8127‬
PIN: ‪713 673 831#‬

Special Meeting (6/12, 5:15 p.m.) Agenda:  June 12 Agenda

Join Special Meeting:

Meeting link
meet.google.com/jxf-nqqs-ste

Join by phone
(US) +1 413-276-7637
PIN: 245745856

2025 SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS-ELECT

Congratulations are in order for Ann Wiesner (Community Member - Returning), Alicia Reyes-Johnson (Teacher), Stacey Monsen (SHV Parent) and Susie Johnsen (SHV Parent) who have been elected to the Lionsgate Academy School Board. These members-elect will be formally seated at the June 17th school board meeting. 

The Lionsgate Academy School Board is responsible for governing, managing, and directing the affairs of the district focusing on the school’s mission to foster self-determination by providing a transition-focused, personalized education for all, specializing in educating autistic learners.School board members are elected to a three-year term. New member terms will begin on July 1, 2025.

Many thanks to our outgoing members Natasha Randolph, Eve Wolfe and Jeff Nickolas.

Members
School board members are elected to a three (3) year term. Each spring, the Lionsgate community elects one (1) parent, one (1) teacher and one (1) community member to the school board. For more information about the school board, please contact Board Chairperson Ann Wiesner at [email protected].

Ann Wiesner, Community Member, Chair
[email protected]
Advocating for the needs of a neurodiverse student has taught Ann Wiesner a lot over the last 10+ years. That experience combined with her over 22 years as an Advocacy and Engagement Strategy Consultant bring a unique skill set to the board. Ann has extensive experience with strategy development in nonprofits and philanthropy, both in Minnesota and nationally. She brings a race and gender justice lens to her work and is excited to bring those perspectives to LGA. She decided to join the Board because she wants all neurodiverse people to be seen as the complex, remarkable, and talented individuals as they are—she envisions a day where places like Lionsgate, inviting and welcoming spaces for neurodiversity of all kinds, are commonplace. When she is not working with clients, Ann can be found reading, napping, or doing laundry at her home in Minnetonka, where she lives with her husband, two children, dog, and two rabbits.

Diana Amundson, Teacher (Minnetonka), Director
[email protected]
Diana Amundson is in her twelfth year as a licensed teacher in Minnesota. She is in her seventh school year at Lionsgate. Diana is the Gen Ed Lead teacher at Minnetonka where she teaches the high school level math classes. She got her BS in Math Education at St. Cloud State University and taught in several schools across the state before finding her home here at Lionsgate. Diana greatly enjoys her current role at Lionsgate and is excited to expand it by joining the board. She hopes to share her perspective and ideas to keep Lionsgate strong.

Julie Tarshish, Parent (Minnetonka & Lynx), Director
[email protected]
Julie Tarshish has 20+ years of nonprofit experience with expertise in communications and marketing. She has been a parent advocate, helping others navigate the complex county and state paperwork for waivers, and been a member of several school SEAC boards, including at LGA. Julie’s twin sons are middle schoolers: one in Minnetonka and one in Shoreview’s Lynx program. Julie’s lens as a parent of two children on diverse places within the autism spectrum put her in a unique position to help guide LGA as it works to serve the needs of all neurodivergent learners, including those who are nonspeaking and those with higher support needs. Julie is passionate about growing LGA’s impact to include safe, supported family community outings and expand supported opportunities for our students as they age out of school services.

Kim Busse, Community Member, Vice Chair
[email protected]
Kim Busse has been a supporter of Lionsgate Academy for many years. As a special education teacher and mental health therapist, Kim has recommended LGA to many families since it began. Kim currently consults with school districts and owns Busse & Reid where she provides individual and family therapy, as well as diagnostic testing, to families affected by neurodiversity. When Kim isn’t working, she likes to garden, travel, watch football (GO PACKERS) and spend time with her family. Kim lives with her husband and has 2 adult daughters. She looks forward to being a part of the LGA community.

Chayla Fenske, Teacher (Shoreview), Secretary
[email protected]
Chayla Fenske is beginning her fifth year at Lionsgate. She started as a Special Education teacher/case manager for 7-12 graders. She has taught English Language Arts, Social Studies, Transitions, and Social Skills. This year, Chayla will be a case manager. She attended St. Scholastica in Duluth, MN for her undergraduate and Capella University for her graduate studies. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English and a Master's Degree in Psychology. Chayla is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction. Previously, Chayla has worked in residential, in-home, and autism centers. She is excited to share her ideas with Lionsgate’s school board.







Konner Hayes, Community Member, Director
[email protected]
Konner Hayes graduated from Lionsgate Academy in 2024. He enjoyed writing movie reviews for the newspaper and he went on the Japan trip with other Lionsgate students and staff. Konner will be attending MCTC and will be majoring in Cinema. He has an older sister, a younger brother, a dog named Honey and a cat named Earl Gray.