Officers / BOARD MEMBERS
Kim Taylor, President
President Kim Taylor grew up in and graduated from New Palestine High School in 1981. After graduating from UIndy, she began an extensive career in sales. More recent, starting her own company, Taylor Financial Wellness, coaching families on managing their personal finances. Kim is very active in the community and volunteers within a variety of organizations. She understands the need to support and develop our teachers and provide the resource needed to expand their education.
Linda Fowler, Vice President
Vice President Linda Fowler is a retired teacher who has lived in the area all her life. She taught Spanish and English as a second language to students in Wayne Township and worked at the IN Department of Education. She still serves as a bilingual translator for parent conferences. She was a volunteer EMT on the Fire Department for 23 years. She is committed to SHEd to maintain her focus on education and her community.
Jenni Dropsey, Treasurer
Jenni Dropsey is the mother of two boys in the Southern Hancock School
District, a senior at NPHS and a sixth grader at NPI. She and her husband,
Andy, have been living in New Palestine for 17 years. Jenni attended Miami
University for Elementary Education. After college, she has worked and
volunteered in education including substitute teaching while living in
Boston, MA. She has been a piano and music theory teacher for over 20 years.
She served as a member of the SCE PTO Executive Board for 9 years serving in
many positions, including Treasurer and President. She has also served on her
HOA Executive Board, Scout Executive Board and several educational
committees. She enjoys dedicating her time to volunteering in her community
and helping promote quality education.
Josh Monteith, Secretary
Josh Monteith is a long time New Palestine resident and advocate of the community and the education system. He is married to Jessica, a New Palestine High School graduate. They have 3 children, 2 of which are students in the New Palestine School System. Josh is serial entrepreneur and is the co-founder of the Monteith-Legault Real Estate Company, which was founded in New Palestine. Josh, Jessica, and their son enjoy cheering on their daughters at their volleyball or softball games, traveling, and giving back to the community.
Gary Halliburton, Immediate Past President
Gary Halliburton is also a New Palestine High School graduate. Gary is the owner of Progressive Hair Designs. Gary is the immediate past president of the New Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce and is currently serving as an advisor. Gary is proud of his family, one son, and one grandchild.
Mark Kern
Past President Mark Kern was a longtime school administrator. He retired in 2019, following service as principal at each of the Southern Hancock elementary schools during nearly two decades of service to our school community. He continues to work as a part-time associate pastor at Pleasant View Baptist Church, and as a volunteer with the Hope Center Indy. He and his wife, Pat, also a retired educator, have two adult children and six grandchildren. Interestingly, both of their children and their spouses are all educators!
Caralee Griffith
Caralee Griffith has over 15 years of experience in mental health and people-focused careers, with the last 2 years concentrated on senior living. Caralee developed her leadership and event management skills as the Executive Director of the New Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce. Caralee uses these skills to bring joy, smiles, and lasting memories to the residents of all Justus Senior Living Communities through a variety of life enrichment opportunities. She is married to her husband Wayne and has one son, who previously attended Southern Hancock Schools. They now live in Morristown, but continue to devote time and energy to the New Palestine community that holds a special place in their hearts. Caralee holds a BA degree in Psychology from Indiana University.
Katie Arthur
Katie Arthur has three children within the Southern Hancock School District, NPJH (8th grade), NPI (5th grade), and Brandywine (2nd grade). She briefly lived in New Pal, left for Franklin Township, and quickly returned. Mackenzie started her first-grade year at Brandywine. She grew up on the eastside of Indianapolis and graduated from Warren Central. She works for Salesforce as an HR Operations Manager. She is a guest facilitator for Dress For Success - Indianapolis, a certified #IamRemarkable Facilitator, and 10+ year volunteer for Flashes of Hope. For the last 10 years, she has organized the Indianapolis Chapter annual charity event - Pirates and Princesses. Her platform is all-around mental health and is working on my certification to be a NAMI Facilitator.
Lynnette Bell
Lynnette Bell has over 30 years of experience in the Death Care Industry along with her husband, Jeff and together they have three children who have or are currently attending the Southern Hancock School Corporation. Together they both own and operate two funeral homes, Bell Mortuary and Crematory, Shangrila Chapel, which is just East of New Palestine on US 52, and Bell Mortuary and Crematory, Royster-Askin-Sandrock Chapel located in Indianapolis, near downtown on West Washington Street. Lynnette and Jeff also own and operate a Pet Crematory, “All Pets Go To Heaven Crematory”. Lynnette is responsible for record-keeping and administrative duties for their businesses. Lynnette has lived in the New Palestine Community for 30 years. She is a Member of the New Palestine United Methodist Church, New Palestine Chamber of Commerce, and the New Palestine Lions Club. She also is a past board member of the New Palestine High School Band Boosters where she was very active. Lynnette and Jeff are very big supporters for the Southern Hancock Schools, sports, (Large Sponsor for the New Palestine High School Football Field), and the arts. Lynnette is very involved in many civic and community activities.
Vincent Meo
Vincent Meo is the principal at New Palestine Intermediate School. He has worked for Southern Hancock Schools for 23 years as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Vincent is married and has two teenage daughters.
James Voelz
James Voelz is the principal at New Palestine High School. He has served as a school leader in the Southern Hancock schools for twenty-one years primarily at New Palestine Junior High/Doe Creek Middle School. He and his wife are New Pal residents and the proud parents of four children, all NPHS graduates.
Loretta Forgey
Loretta Forgey is a retired elementary school teacher in the New Palestine community. Before entering the teaching profession, Loretta was very active as a PTO officer at New Palestine Elementary. An original board member, Loretta served as the chairperson of the annual Gala fundraiser and foundation treasurer for many years. She and her husband, Mike, have raised three adult children who graduated from New Palestine High School. They also have four grandchildren.
Brittnee Barger
Brittnee Barger is the mother of three boys who attend NPI and SCE. After college, she worked in finance. Brittnee and her family have lived in New Palestine for the past 5 years. While raising her family here, she wanted to be involved in the community, so she began substitute teaching for New Pal schools. She and her husband are also involved in youth sports and church in New Palestine