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

Board Operating Handbook

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 serves the Board President and has received the Michigan Association of School Board's Award of Distinction. Professionally, Amanda leads a corporate accounting organization for a global retailer. She has lived in the Keweenaw for 15 years with her family that includes three current HPTS students and one Gremlin Alumnus. Her family participates in many extracurriculars and is highly active in the local Scouting America troop. Mrs. Massaway's term expires in December 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 Assistant Vice President for Research Integrity. 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 2030.

Julie Cischke, Treasurer
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.

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 2030.

Kellie Raffaelli, Trustee

Kellie Raffaelli was appointed to the Houghton-Portage Township School Board in 2026. She currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students at Michigan Technological University, where she has worked since 2012 in various student success and leadership roles. Kellie earned a BA in Anthropology from SUNY Oneonta, an MEd from Regis University, and an EdD in Higher Education Leadership from Capella University. Prior to working in higher education, Kellie was a K–12 special education teacher in Denver, Colorado. Originally from the Bronx, New York, she has lived in Houghton since 2006 with her husband, a Copper Country native, and their two daughters who attend the Houghton schools. In her free time, Kellie enjoys camping, hiking, and spending time with family and friends. Dr. Raffaelli's Board term expires in December of 2026.