About PIE
and Charter Schools
At PIE Charter Schools, we are dedicated to fostering a robust academic environment that promotes critical thinking and creativity. Our curriculum is designed to engage students and help them excel in their studies.
What is a Charter School?
A charter school in Oregon is:
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a free public school within a school district
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defined uniquely by contract or "charter"
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authorized to operate under a contract of "charter"
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operated by community members (often parents & teachers)
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partially autonomous (with its own governing board)
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school of choice (for students and for teachers)
About PIE
People Involved in Education, Inc. (PIE) is the non-profit corporation that operates both the Sand Ridge Charter School (a public school contracted with the Lebanon School District in Lebanon, Oregon) and the Sweet Home Charter School (a public school contracted with the Sweet Home School District in Sweet Home, Oregon).
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Monthly PIE Board Board meets the first Monday of every calendar month, at:
Sand Ridge Charter School,
100 Sand Ridge Ct.
Lebanon, OR 97355
In work session at 6:00 p.m. with executive session (ORS 192.660 (2)(a)or(b)) from 6:05p.m. to 6:30p.m. (if needed) followed by the regular monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m.
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Everyone is welcome to attend these meetings. Your participation is valued, needed and appreciated!
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Additional Information
PIE Board
Jerry Workman, President
Jerry has been a member of the PIE Board since February 2007. He is married to Carrie and they are the parents of 8 children. Two of their children attend Sand Ridge Charter School. Jerry grew up in Cottage Grove, Oregon. There he graduated from High School and then went on to graduate from Ricks College and then from Oregon State University in Forest Engineering. Jerry currently works for Weyerhaeuser Company on the Snow Peak Tree Farm just outside of Lebanon.
Mary Betts, Vice President
Sherrie Ingram, Secretary / Treasurer
Sherrie has been a member of the PIE Board since August of 2006. She is married to Mike and they are the parents of three school age children. In addition to being a stay-at-home mom, Sherrie holds a B.A. in Communication with a minor in Marketing from Southern Oregon State College. Her working background is in finance and office management. She currently serves on the PIE Board and works for Houck Evarts & Company CPA as an administrative assistant. Sherrie has lived in Sweet Home most of her life and has a heart for the children of the community. Her other interests include spending time with family, genealogy, reading, photography, crocheting, knitting, and gardening.
Mary Northern, Director
Mary is the founder of Sand Ridge Charter School. In 1992 she became involved in alternative education and helped start a private alternative school that year. In 1999 the Charter Bill (SB 100) was passed in Oregon and the private alternative school was converted to a public charter school, "Sand Ridge Charter School." Mary currently serves as the Business Manager and Administrator. She is a graduate of Central Linn High School and attended the University of Oregon and Linn Benton Community College. She has been married to husband Larry since 1969 and they have 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren. They have been foster parents and have welcomed 3 exchange students into their family. The Northern's have always been active volunteers in their community and have taught their children that volunteering is a very rewarding part of life. Their children are carrying on that tradition. Mary is an advocate for children because, "They are our future!" She believes all families deserve to have a choice in education, not just the rich. The Northern's have been business owners for 40 years. In addition, Mary worked for Georgia Pacific Paper Mill from 1987 to 2005 and retired from Georgia Pacific, Halsey Mill in 2005.
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