Board Members

Overview

RVC is the creation of local public school teachers and public school parents. It is governed by a Board of Directors made up of parents and education and business professionals. Three of the board members are representatives of RVC teachers and parents.

 Board Members

Email all at rvcboard@rossvalleycharter.org


Board Meetings

For a schedule of Regular Board Meetings and Meeting Agendas please visit here.

If you would like to be notified of upcoming meetings please send a request to info@rossvalleycharter.org

Board Members and Officers


Charis Denison, Community Member

Charis Denison is a Youth Advocate and teacher/consultant involved in the integration of Human Development, Ethics, and Social Justice. She has built her experience primarily partnering with schools, families, and organizations for the past 25 years. She has received national recognition for her work in several of these fields. Charis has been on the faculty of the Urban School of San Francisco, Branson, and Marin Academy.

Charis currently runs Prajna Consulting. Through Prajna, she partners with schools, teens, families, organizations, and communities around the issues of Human Development, Social Justice, and Ethics and the essential connection between those topics.

Charis and Scott Hummel’s two children both graduated from Manor’s MAP program and both have volunteered extensively in connection with the program. Charis also served as board member and president of several boards in the Bay Area dealing with education and social justice.


Amy Gramajo - Parent Member

Born in San Francisco, Amy grew up in San Rafael and graduated from San Rafael high school. She has worked for the County of Marin The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program and currently works for a private OBGYN office in Greenbrae. Amy served as a member of board of the Fairfax-San Anselmo Children Center (FSACC) for 2 years and is bi-lingual.  Amy has three children, two of whom are students who attend Ross Valley Charter, and third who is preschool age. Amy lives in San Rafael with husband Arturo.


Dawn Patrice Hwang - Parent Member

Dawn is a licensed esthetician and small business owner, operating a private skincare practice for the past 15 years. She is also a licensed massage therapist and a certified Integrative Health Coach. In addition, Dawn has a diverse background in studio arts, psychology, and interior design. After spending over 20 years in San Francisco, she and her husband, Steve, moved to San Rafael with their two sons, who now attend RVC. Dawn has worked to advocate for science-based reading instruction and allergy awareness in school and is passionate about raising awareness of these issues in her community.


Deepti Manepalli - Parent Member

Deepti is a physical therapist working in Kentfield for the last 9 years. She is an orthopedic clinical specialist and is working on her geriatric specialty. Originally from India, Deepti has been in the United States for 16 years. She is an avid artist, creator, and collaborates with her mother, who is an author published in India, in translating her stories to English. She lives in San Rafael with her husband and two sons, the older of whom is a first grader in RVC. She is actively involved in her neighborhood as a block captain and helps organize various events and loves to give back to the community.


Laurent Martin - Parent Member

Laurent Martin is a co-owner and photographer for Helena and Laurent Photography, where he combines his artistic passion with creative problem-solving, sales, and marketing skills acquired over nearly two decades of business ownership. Recognized for his outstanding communication skills, he has worked with hundreds of clients from all walks of life, helping them navigate stressful situations with patience and composure. His professional experiences range from owning and running a web design business to managing and performing with a traveling Circus, showcasing his versatility and ability to adapt to diverse professional environments.

Laurent considers himself a lifelong learner. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Bard College and currently pursuing a Master of Counseling Psychology degree at Dominican University, he brings a strong work ethic and well-rounded perspective to all his endeavors. As the father of two young boys at Ross Valley Charter, his commitment to their education and the community that supports it is deeply ingrained. Laurent's entrepreneurial spirit, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills make him a valuable addition to the board.


Sharon Sagar, Chair - Community Member

Sharon Sagar previously served on the Ross Valley School District Board of Trustees for 14 years. She served as School Board President, and on almost every districtwide committee at some point over those 14 years. In addition, Sharon served in many capacities as a parent volunteer including as Site Council President and PTA President, and on many fundraising committees. Some of the many district and countywide committees that Sharon has served on include Budget Committee, Superintendent Search, Policy committee, Strategic Planning Committee, negotiations representative, Facilities Committee, District English Language Advisory Committee, District Round Table, Safe Routes to Schools, YES Foundation board representative, Marin County Joint Legislative Advisory Representative, Wellness Committee, Tech Committee, and Marin County School Board representative. Sharon worked on several parcel tax and bond campaigns for the Ross Valley School District. Sharon also served as co- president of the Marin Education Task Force, a collaborative network of schools feeding into the Tamalpais Union High School District. Sharon has taken the California School Boards Masters in Governance training program twice. Sharon was an active founding member of the Innovative Learning Community/MAP and values offering educational choice to the families of the Ross Valley School District. She is committed to collaborative decision-making and partnerships between administration, teachers and parents in public education. Sharon currently works in a school business office.

 

Other Officers

Page Hersey, EdD, School Director - Board President

Nina Watson - Teacher Liaison Officer

Conn Hickey - Volunteer Business Official