The AFSA School Board meets monthly. Work sessions begin at 4 pm, School Board meetings begin at 5:00 pm each meeting date, all meetings are scheduled to be held at the Elementary School Cafeteria (2925 Country Drive Little Canada, MN 55117) unless otherwise announced. All meetings are open to the public. 

Community Representatives

Julie Cox - Community Representative - Board Vice Chair

Julie works at General Mills and currently holds the position of ITQ Director – Meals & Baking Organization Unit. Julie has been with General Mills for 19 years and has had worked across ITQ in Management and Product Development. Prior to joining General Mills, Julie worked for Cargill in both Minneapolis and Cedar Rapids, IA. Julie has a M.S. degree in Food Science from Cornell University and a B.S. degree in Food Science from the University of Minnesota. Julie has enjoyed a career full of learning and discovery, to commercialization, working with highly talented Scientists and Engineers, and Business partners and leaders. Julie and her husband Don live in Maple Grove. They enjoy traveling and spending time with family and friends, and time at the lake in Lakeshore, MN on the Gull Lake Chain.  

Kate Plaisance - Community Representative - Board Chair

Kate is the Nutrition Science Director for Cargill Animal Nutrition and Health. She leads a global team of research scientists responsible for the development of laboratory technologies that support new product development, improved ingredient understanding and rapid quality analysis for the internal business and customers. Kate has been with Cargill for 15 years in many R&D roles. Before joining Cargill, she worked for the USDA/ARS Plant Science division at the U of M investigating herbicide resistance in weeds. Kate is passionate about promoting Women in STEM, and volunteers her time for U of M CLA Career Services events and as well as supporting scholarship funds.

David Smith - Community Representative

David Smith is a Professor in the Food Science and Nutrition Department at the University of Minnesota. He works primarily in the area of dairy products and teaches various courses in food science, also, he advises about 100 students in both nutrition and food science majors. He has been on the AFSA School Board for over six years and is currently Board Vice Chair.

Parent Representatives

Jenny Cook - Parent Representative

Jenny Cook is the parent of a 9th grader at AFSA. She brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofits to the Board. Jenny is a licensed Occupational Therapist with a background in social work and child welfare. She hopes to be a voice for all AFSA families, with a special focus for those receiving Special Education and/or English Language Learner services.

Leslie Scherer - Parent Representative

Leslie Scherer is the parent of a student at both the Elementary and the High School, and has been a part of the AFSA community since 2021.  Her experience includes working with children with special needs and their families, in alternative schools for children with special needs, and she has been working as an Occupational Therapist in acute care for the past 13 years.  Since joining AFSA, she has been instrumental in forming the AFSA Parent and Family Group to bring together families to support the school and each other.  Leslie has a passion for gardening and the outdoors, and spends time volunteering at her church, schools, community, and through Scouting.     

Matt Vinez - Parent Representative

Matt is the father of AFSA fourth grader as well as two other younger daughters. He is the owner & founder of Vinez Benefits Group, an insurance brokerage specializing in group & individual benefits. In addition to this, he has been a wrestling coach for over 20 years, and is a founder of East Side Wrestling Club. Matt also has been a long time volunteer with Shifting Gears, a youth mounting biking club based in Woodbury, MN. In his free time, Matt enjoys being a super fan for his kids in sports, snowboarding, mountain biking, and relaxing at home with his wife & kids.

Teacher Representatives

Melissa Farler - Teacher Representative - Board Clerk

My name is Melissa Farler. This is my 4th year teaching at AFSA and my 19th year teacher overall. I love teaching Biology and the Environmental/ Ecology classes. I was a Q-comp mentor teacher last year and am a Q-comp leader (master teacher) this year.I have a Bachelor's degree in Biology from Northland College in Ashland, Wisconsin, a Master's degree in instruction and curriculum from University of Memphis, and an Education Specialist degree in administration and supervision from Middle Tennessee State University. I lived for 21 years in Tennessee and taught there for 14 of them. Before becoming a teacher, I was a veterinary technician, humane educator, and volunteer coordinator for a city animal shelter in Memphis, TN. I am happy to be back in this part of the country. After attending Northland College in northern Wisconsin, I have always hoped to be able to return to this area. I hope I can bring my background, experience, and education to the school board to help AFSA be a great school to attend and work..

Kerry Schulte - Teacher Representative - Board Treasurer

I am a Second Grade Teacher at AFSA K-12. I was an avid FFA member in High School and enjoyed the subjects of science and agriculture. I have a degree in Retail Management and Early Childhood Education and Master’s in Reading and Language Arts. I worked in both retail and computer technology manufacturing before deciding Elementary was my passion. I joined the AFSA Community in 2019. Prior to joining AFSA I taught Elementary for 20+ years in Arizona. I am happy to be back in the Midwest and proud to be part of the AFSA Community.

Kyra Warner - Teacher Representative

Agriculture has always been a part of my life, from growing up with horses, to showing sheep in high school. Earning three degrees related to agriculture with a Masters in Agriculture Education in 2019 from the University of Wisconsin River Falls, has helped me discover a love for teaching.  Teaching high school students about agriculture and helping them discover how agriculture impacts their daily life and how they truly are the future of agriculture is my passion. I joined the AFSA team in 2024 and have been amazed by the love and passion for agriculture and learning that the students of AFSA have.  I am excited to continue to instill a love for learning and agriculture in all students and to help them find their passions, and future.  Outside of teaching, I spend time with my family, pets, kayaking, hiking, reading, and exploring the world around me.