About Us

Our Mission

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Biennial Reports

Our Mission

The FOSD mission and purpose is to support the enhancement of programs and services for students at OSD (Oregon School for the Deaf) beyond the State’s funding responsibility* by enriching the educational opportunities for students, by sponsoring cultural activities, by encouraging innovative programs, and by financially supporting minor capital improvements.

Founded by a small group of dedicated people in 2006, Friends of OSD has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an all-volunteer Board of Directors. In 2014, FOSD created an Advisory Council of 15 members.

The Friends of OSD Strategic Plan provides direction as the nonprofit continues to expand. We are proud to say that 95% of all grants and donations go directly to programs that benefit students.

*The State of Oregon is responsible for operating programs and services for the students at OSD. Federal case law establishes the expectation that special education services provided by a school be reasonably designed to ensure students make progress. Friends of OSD will not replace or supplant the responsibilities of the State.

The Friends of OSD nonprofit bylaws provide for a maximum 15-member Board of Directors, and we are actively recruiting additional directors. See our Get Involved web page for more information about serving on the Friends of OSD Board.

Board meetings are usually held monthly. Meeting time and day are subject to change in order to accommodate Board members’ schedules. Please check the OSD calendar and the FOSD Home Page/Events for specifics each month. Board meetings are open to the public.

Friends of OSD Board of Directors

Michael Staudinger, President

Michael Staudinger is a novelist and grandparent of two OSD students. He has served as a hospital chaplain and parish pastor (retired), as well as a high-school English teacher. Staudinger also volunteers with the Mid-Willamette Valley Habitat for Humanity as a guest speaker and grant writer. Originally from Washington state, he and his wife moved to Salem to be close to their grandchildren and support the work of the OSD. When not volunteering, he loves bicycling, cooking, fly fishing, sailing, and theater.

Judy Lorenzen, Vice-President

Judy Lorenzen graduated from Willamette University with a BA in English Literature. After teaching English at the high school level, she received an MA in Special Ed, Hearing Impaired, from Lewis & Clark University. She began teaching Language Arts at the Oregon School for the Deaf in 1972 in both the Middle and High School Departments, ultimately becoming High School Supervising Teacher, a position she held until her retirement in 2004. She was also Adjunct Professor at both Lewis and Clark and Western Oregon University in their teacher training programs.

Phyllis Reynolds, Treasurer

Phyllis Reynolds is a retired 30-year employee of the Oregon Department of Education, with positions ranging from clerical to policy analyst for the fiscal offices at ODE. Her history of support for OSD ranges from assisting to record and archive student records to setting up Small Purchase Order Transaction System debit card accounts which enable OSD staff to teach independent living skills to students nearing graduation. Phyllis is excited to be involved with FOSD to help support the School and the students.

Linda Couoh, Secretary

Linda Couoh is a former 13-year employee of Oregon School for the Deaf where she served on the Search Committee for the Director of Oregon School for the Deaf and on the Planning Committee for the Future of Oregon School for the Deaf. She is the former executive secretary to the Oregon State Superintendent of Schools, a position from which she was promoted to Personnel Director of the Oregon Department of Education. Now retired, Linda is a charter board member and current director of Friends of OSD.

Melanie DeLeon, Director

Mel is the Coordinator of Interpreting and Transcribing Services at Portland Community College and is an Oregon Court Certified Interpreter. She has served with a number of organizations that focus on communication access and diversity issues. Mel uses her networking skills to improve educational services, employment and health care for Deaf Oregonians.

Su Fennern, Director

In Su’s pre-retirement position as Procurement Officer at the Oregon Department of Education, she provided guidance and assistance in the purchasing and contracting process to OSD staff. Her degree in Business from Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management, as well as her volunteer service with the Turner Fire District and fundraising events in the community make her a welcome addition to the FOSD board.

Teri Staudinger, Director

Teri was born and raised in SE Washington State. She received her BA in Education from Eastern Washington University, and her M.Ed. from Heritage University. Throughout her 20+ years of teaching, Teri was involved in the teacher’s union and was eventually elected President of the local, where she served for 5 years. Teri served as the Chair of the Fourth Congressional District Democrats and was an Obama delegate to the National Convention in 2012. Teri and her husband live in Salem, where she currently is a Field Representative for the Oregon School Employees Association. They have two grandchildren who attend OSD.

Biennial Reports

Biennial Report 2017-18 Annual Report 2016 Annual Report 2015

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Your generous support of Friends of OSD allows us to continue enhancing the students’ educational experience at the Oregon School for the Deaf.

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