Meet the Trustees

New Members Welcome! 

Please contact the Foundation for more information or come to our next meeting!

The East Prairie School Educational Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees operating independently from the school district and dedicated to educational excellence for East Prairie students.  The Foundation works cooperatively with the Board of Education and the Superintendent.  The Foundation is governed by the responsibilities established and documented in our Bylaws and are highlighted in Roles and Responsibilities.

Diana Evonitz 

Foundation Chair

Diana Evonitz is the current Foundation Chair since July 2021.  Diana and her husband have lived in District 73 since 1998 and have one daughter who graduated from EPS, Class of 2012.  Diana has been a Foundation Trustee since 2010 and Foundation Treasurer from 2010-2021.  She was active in the PTA while her daughter attended EPS and a former PTA Treasurer.

Barb Stephens 

Chair, Fundraising

Barb Stephens has been a Foundation Trustee since 2003 and was the former Foundation Chair from 2010-2015.  Barb is the Chair of Fundraising since July 2022.  Barb has three daughters that attended and graduated from EPS, Classes of 1995, 2000 and 2004.  Barb was also active in the EPS PTA while her daughters attended EPS.

Lisa LaPata

Co-Chair, Projects

Lisa LaPata has been teaching at EPS for 23 years. She has taught preschool, kindergarten, second, and third grade. She values being part of such a diverse and supportive community.  She joined the Foundation in 2022 and has been Chair of Projects since July 2022.

Halima Cegur 

Co-Chair, Projects

Halima Cegur joined the Foundation in 2023 and has two children currently attending EPS.  Halima is the Co-Chair of Projects.


Sandra Ritter 

Treasurer

Sandy Ritter has two daughters who graduated from EPS, Class of 1998 and 2001.  She was a District 73 Board of Education member from 2001-2009.  Sandy was also active in the EPS PTA as a member, former PTA Treasurer, and responsible for the PTA Fun Fair for 3 years and the Book Fair for 9 years.  Sandy has been a Foundation Trustee since 2003.  Sandy is the current Foundation Treasurer since July 2021.  Sandy and her family have lived in District 73 since 1977.  

Lara Barros

Secretary

Lara Barros has been a Foundation Trustee since 2020.  She and her husband have two children attending EPS and two graduates, Classes of 2020, 2022, 2025 and 2026.  They have lived in District 73 since 2006.  Lara is the Foundation Secretary since July 2021.

Sue Kelly 

Chair, Public Relations & Communications

Sue Kelly has taught third grade at East Prairie for over 34 years! This school is an amazing place for kids to grow and learn. I'm happy to be part of the EPS Foundation!  Sue joined the Foundation in 2021, Chair of the Plotkin Scholarship Committee 2021-2022, and, as of July 2022, Chair of Public Relations & Communications.

Andrea Smeeton 

Chair, Plotkin Scholarship Award Selection

Andrea Smeeton is a recently retired East Prairie School Middle School Teacher and the Enrichment Coordinator.  She has been a Plotkin Scholarship Committee Member since its inception, coordinates the scholarship application process with Niles North High School and leads the scholarship recipient selection process.  Andrea has been a Foundation Trustee since 1997..

Robert Glickman

Co-Chair, Plotkin Scholarship Fundraising & Investment Oversight

Robert Glickman is an EPS Alumni and is the son of  the late Sheldon Glickman, the founder of the Plotkin Scholarship Fund.  Robert is continuing his father's legacy and giving back to the community.  He is the Co-Chair of the Plotkin Scholarship Fundraising and Investment Oversight since July 2022.  

Richard Evonitz 

Co-Chair, Plotkin Scholarship Fundraising & Investment Oversight

Rich Evonitz has lived in District 73 since 1998 and has one daughter who graduated from EPS, Class of 2012.  

Darlyn Murphy 

Trustee

Darlyn Murphy is a former District 73 Board of Education Member, former PTA President and PTA Program Vice-President.  She also served as the Foundation Treasurer, 2002-2010 and Foundation Chair of Projects through June 2022.  She and her husband have three adult children (Jenny, Tim and Tom) who all graduated from EPS.  They have lived in District 73 since 1980.

Lisa Edmond 

Trustee

Lisa Edmond is a Lifetime PTA Member and past EPS PTA President, Vice-President and past chair of many PTA committees.  Lisa has been a Foundation Trustee since 2012.  She and her husband have four children that attended and graduated from EPS, Classes of 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2012.

Julia Bart 

Trustee

Julia Bart has taught at EPS for 20 years.  As a teacher, she has benefitted from the generous support of the foundation and their many grants that have supported students over the years. She joined the EPS Foundation in 2023 and is excited to give back to this very worthwhile organization.  

Tim Berlinghof 

Trustee

Tim Berlinghof has taught band and music at East Prairie for 20 years.  He is proud to be a part of the EPS committee teaching band to students in grades 4-8.  Tim joined the Foundation in 2023.  

Arpita Das 

Trustee

Arpita Das joined the Foundation in 2023.  Arpita Das and her husband Atanu Das have lived in Skokie District 73 since 2006. Arpita has two kids who graduated from East Prairie. Her son graduated in 2017 and daughter graduated in 2019. 

Ellie Henderson 

Trustee

Ellie Henderson joined the Foundation in 2023. She is a Class of 2016 Alumni from EPS. Currently a senior at Northeastern Illinois University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with an emphasis in ceramics and a Bachelor of Art in K-12 Art Education. 

Superintendent

Dr. Paul Goldberg, Superintendent District 73, represents the East Prairie School Administration at our meetings. 

Board of Education

Our bylaws allow the District 73 Board of Education to have a member participate in our meetings.  Presently, Erick Tumang and Atanu Das represent the Board of Education at the Foundation meetings.