About Us & Board of Directors

About Us

The Rockridge Schools Foundation is a 501c(3) non- profit organization with a mission to provide a vehicle to enhance educational opportunities and academic needs for the students in the Rockridge School District. The 501c(3) status allows the Foundation to apply for various grants and resources on behalf of our students and teachers.

Who We Are

The Foundation was established as an avenue for area residents, businesses and community stakeholders to make an investment into the future educational needs of our students. The Foundation is not intended to target just one effort, but is designed to make a lasting impact for our current and future students. For example, a teacher has found an innovative way to teach students, but needs financial resources to make it happen. An application could be made to the foundation to help support that effort*.

Established in 2013, the Rockridge Schools Foundation was started in response to the growing need of resources that our students and teachers that cannot be met by the School District. The Foundation allows new resources for our students through donations by local residents, business owners, and alumni and allows the Foundation to apply for grants for various needs of our students and teachers.

The process began in 2013, with the Foundation receiving its 501(c)3 non profit status in 2015, allowing all donations to be tax deductible.

Board of Directors

Beth Payne, President - Beth Payne along with her husband Scott have lived in Edgington for 12 years and has been involved in the Foundation since its formation in 2013. She has two daughters- Harper who is three years old and Hannah who is a newborn. Ms. Payne was born and raised in Rock Island and is employed as the Administration Director for Economic Growth Corporation located in Rock Island, IL. and has over ten years experience in non-profit management. As President of the Foundation, Ms. Payne works to increase awareness, drive fundraising efforts, and look for grant opportunities that will assist the teachers and students in the Rockridge Schools Foundation.

Kathy Johnson, Vice President- Kathy Johnson along with her husband Brent have lived in rural Milan for the past 25 years. She has been involved in the Foundation since its formation in 2013. She has two sons - Alex who graduated in 2012 and Luke who graduated in 2015. She is an Application Analyst working for Group O, Inc located in Milan, IL. As her boys were growing up she was a past President of the Taylor Ridge/Reynolds PTC and a Rockridge Booster Board Member for 8 years. As the Vice President of the Foundation, Ms Johnson works to increase the awareness of the Foundation and support the fundraising initiatives.

Teresa Moore, Treasurer- Teresa Moore is a former Rockridge area business owner and has been a trustee of the Andalusia Township Library since 2009. Her youngest son is a 2007 graduate of RHS which is what spurred her to give her time and energy to the establishment of the Foundation. She and her husband, Jerry, live outside Andalusia.

Christie Carlson, Secretary- Christie Carlson lives in rural Illinois City and has been involved in the Foundation sinces its inception in 2-13. She currently holds the office of Secretary. Christie has a 9-year old daughter who attends Andalusia Elementary and a 6-year old son who attends Illinois City Elementary. She was formerly a member of the Rockridge PTC. Originally from Muscatine, Ms. Carlson has been impressed with the level of community spirit and involvement from parents and staff members around school activities and student success.

Teresa Richhart, Board Member- Teresa Richhart lives in rural Rock Island county and has been a part of the Rockridge Foundation since 2016. She and her husband, Don have 4 boys, ages 10, 9, 6, and 4. Ms. Richhart has over 20 years of management experience and currently specializes in human resource management. Ms. Richhart also serves in the Red Cross board and is active in the Buffalo Prairie Presbyterian Church.

Jim Nichols, Board Member- Jim Nichols, a new foundation member, retired from Rockridge in 2013. His wife also retired from Rockridge last year and their four children are all RHS alumni. Jim currently does substitute teaching and History presentations at Rockridge and the Mercer County Essley - Noble Museum. He has done Civil War reenacting across the United States.