Board of Education

The HPTS Board's role is to oversee and set school policy, hire and work in partnership with the superintendent and oversee the District budget. Regular Board meetings are held once a month on the third Monday at 5:30 p.m. Every Board of Education meeting includes an opportunity for public comment.

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Schedules and Minutes

Board Bylaws & Policies

HPTS Thrun Policy

Other Policies

Federal Cash & Financial Management Policy

Merit Pay Policy

Nondiscrimination On the Basis of Sex In Education Programs or Activities

 
Board Members & Contacts

Amanda Massaway, President
amassaway@houghton.k12.mi.us

Amanda Massaway has served on the Houghton-Portage Township School Board since 2017. She currently is the Board President and serves on the School Improvement Committees. For the last several years, she has worked in various corporate accounting roles for a global retailer and is currently a member of the Houghton Rotary club. Amanda grew up in Northeast Wisconsin and went to college at Indiana University. She and her husband Mike have 4 young children and they enjoy many of the outdoor and youth activities found in the UP. Mrs. Massaway's term expires in December of 2026.

Brent Burns, Vice President
bburns@houghton.k12.mi.us

Brent Burns was appointed to the Houghton-Portage Township School Board in 2020. Originally from East Lansing, MI, he first came to the Keweenaw to play Michigan Tech Football and earn a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (2003). Brent also has a Masters in Engineering Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and PhD in Environmental and Energy Policy from Michigan Tech. He worked as an engineer in both the Appleton, WI and Detroit, MI areas before returning to Houghton in 2007 to work for Michigan Tech as Assistant Director of Alumni Relations, moving to Director of Industry Relations, and is currently the Director of Corporate Research & Federal Relations. He has previously held positions in the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce and coached a variety of area youth sports including junior varsity and varsity football at Houghton High School. Brent and his wife, Catherine, live in the City of Houghton with their two children who currently attend the Houghton schools. Mr. Burn's Board term expires in December of 2026.

Mike Salmi, Secretary
msalmi@hpts.us

Mike Salmi was appointed to the Houghton-Portage Township School Board in 2023. He serves on the Operations and Finance Committees. He graduated from the University of Miami, Coral Gables, with a BSN degree and the University of Texas, Houston, Health Science Center, US Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing. Mike and his wife live in Portage Township with their three children who currently attend or have attended the Houghton schools. He is the director of anesthesia and staff at Portage Health. Mr. Salmi's Board term expires in December of 2024.

Nels Christopherson, Treasurer
nchristopherson@houghton.k12.mi.us

Nels Christopherson has lived in Houghton for over 35 years, first as a student at MTU and now as a retired instructor. He was first elected to the Board in 1991 and is currently the Board Treasurer. He chairs the Finance/Negotiations committee. He is also a member of the CCISD Board of Education. He is an enthusiastic supporter of the Gremlins and Houghton, and the Copper Country in general. He enjoys traveling, trout fishing, cross country skiing, and especially taking saunas! Dr. Christopherson's Board term expires in December of 2024.

Philip "Buck" Foltz, Trustee
pfoltz@houghton.k12.mi.us

Philip Foltz has served on the Houghton-Portage Township School Board since 1996. He currently chairs the Operations Committee, and serves on the Personnel/Policy Committees. Besides positions he has held at BHK and the City of Houghton, he volunteers with many community organizations including: member of Houghton Volunteer Fire Department since 1992, member of the Houghton All-Sports Boosters, serves on the Dee Stadium Locker Room Fundraising Committee, and participated in building an outdoor ice skating facility in West Houghton. Foltz and his wife Karen have three children, Mindy who is married, and Tristan and Annika who are both graduates of Houghton High School. Mr. Foltz's Board term expires in December of 2026.

Brad Baltensperger, Trustee
bbaltensperger@houghton.k12.mi.us

Brad Baltensperger has served on the Houghton-Portage Township School Board since 1988. He currently chairs the Personnel/Policy Committee and serves on the Finance/Negotiations Committees. Baltensperger was president of the Michigan Association of School Boards, 1999-2000. He also helped establish the Copper Country Association of School Boards. Baltensperger received his education at the University of Nebraska and Clark University. He is a research professor of geography and education at Michigan Technological University. He enjoys cross country skiing, gardening, choral singing and his term ends in December of 2024.

Julie Cischke, Trustee
jcischke@hpts.us

Julie Cischke graduated from MTU with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and spent a few years in the St. Paul, MN area before returning to the Keweenaw with her husband, Kit, in 2005. Julie and Kit live in Houghton with their three children who currently attend or have attended the Houghton schools, participating in band, swimming, baseball and hockey. Julie enjoys swimming, reading and being outdoors and is active at her church..