Board of Directors
SFCS has a Board of five elected members. Learn about the Board and their work - peek at upcoming agendas or past meeting minutes. The Board has a set of Bylaws that guides their work. The SFCS Board holds regular public meetings at the Sierra Foothill Charter School at 4952 School House Road, Catheys Valley, CA. In addition, the board holds special meetings as needed; dates will be posted in advance.
You are invited and welcome to attend all meetings.

Meet the Board

Denisha Dawson | Chair
Denisha is a Professor of Chemistry at Merced College; Ph.D. in Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry at U.C. Berkeley; BA in Chemistry at U.C. Santa Cruz; 15 years experience as a community college instructor, as well as one year as a K-12 substitute teacher. Interests in student success and resilience as well as science education

Kathleen is a parent of two SFCS students. Kathy’s professional background includes publishing, marketing, e-commerce, web design, retail, and project management. She’s currently the College, Career & Community Liaison at Mariposa County High School, working with students, faculty, and community members on multiple projects.
Kathleen Leonard | Treasurer
Lauren Glikin | Member
Lauren is co-owner and farmer at Raw Roots Farm in Catheys Valley, market manager for the Mariposa Certified Farmers' Market, and former garden teacher and educator at SFCS. Lauren has a B.S. in Environmental Science and an M.S. in Environmental Science. She taught environmental education across the US for ten years, including in Yosemite for four years, before switching careers and starting her farm. She also sits on and helps manage the Merced Farmers' Market Board of Directors and the Farm to Crag Board of Directors. She has two children who attend SFCS and is excited to help SFCS .


Chris was born and raised in the Central Valley until moving to Mariposa with his family in 6th grade. He attended Mariposa Elementary school, Mariposa Middle School and Mariposa County High School. Chris has 3 daughters, all of whom attend or have graduated from SFCS. In addition to being the previous SFCS Board Chair, he also serves on various SFCS committees including Fundraising, Principal Support and Academic Excellence.
Chris Ramirez | Vice Chair

Kass is a policy analyst for the National Park Service, owner and designer for Sierra Sisters' Designs, and founder and president of Mariposa Soccer League. She has one son at SFCS and another who will join the school in 2023. Kass brings skills in design, communication, youth recreation, non profit management, and environmental conservation to the SFCS Board.