School Board Members

  • Lorien Mueller, Chair | Reelected 2020lorien
    MuellerL@colheights.k12.mn.us | 763-528-4562

    Education 
    Downers Grove North High School, Downers Grove, IL
    Winona State University, BA, Communication Studies 
    South Dakota State University, MS, Counseling and Human Resource Development

    Profession 
    Senior Director of Property Management, Great Lakes Management

    School Board Representation 
    Educational Cooperative Service Unit, Liaison to the City of Hilltop, School Board Subcommittee on Policy, Liaison to The Family Center (Effective July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023).

    School Involvement
    Former PTO Vice President/Co-President, Music Booster Treasurer, Community Education Advisory Council, active in CHHS PAC and Finance Committee.

    Community Involvement
    National Night Out host.

    lauraLaura Palmer, Vice Chair | Elected 2010, Reelected 2014, 2018 and 2022
    PalmerL@colheights.k12.mn.us | 763-528-4461

    Education
    Glenbard West High School

    Profession
    Vice President of Asset Management, Custom Art Framing

    School Board Representation
    Northeast Metro Intermediate District 916 Board, School Board Sub-Committee on Community Engagement, Parliamentarian, Liaison to CHHS (Effective July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023). 

    Community Involvement
    Neighborhood Watch Captain, Columbia Heights.

    Jessica Medearis, Director | Elected 2022jm
    MedeariJ@colheights.k12.mn.us | 763-528-4564  

    Education
    West High School - Madison, WI
    University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, B.A. Journalism (Strategic Communication)
    William Mitchell College of Law - St. Paul, MN, J.D.      

    Profession
    Special Assistant to the President, Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College  

    School Board Representation
    MSBA Legislative Liaison, School Board Community Engagement Sub-Committee, Columbia Heights Business Council, Liaison to Highland (Effective Jan 3, 2023-June 30, 2023).   

    School Involvement
    Early Childhood Parent Advisory Committee, Vice President, 2015-2017; Vote Yes Committee, Volunteer, 2018; Valley View Principal Search Committee, Parent Representative, 2019; District Calendar Committee, Parent Representative; District Title I Meetings, Parent Representative (Valley View and Highland); Valley View PTO, President, 2018-2021; District Finance Committee, Parent Representative, 2019-2022; Highland PTO, President, 2022-Present     

    Community Involvement
    Citizens for Safer Streets, Member; Columbia Heights Election Judge, 2019-2020  

    Mary Granlund, Clerk | Reelected 2020mary
    GranlunM@colheights.k12.mn.us | 763-528-4565

    Education
    University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, BA Psychology
    University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Master of Social Work

    Profession
    Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Day Treatment Program Manager, The Lorenz Clinic of Psychology

    School Board Representation
    School Board Sub-Committee on Policy, Association of Metropolitan School Districts, Liaison to Valley View (Effective July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023).

    School Involvement
    PTO President (Valley View Elementary, 2013-2017), weekly classroom volunteer (2012-2020), Columbia Heights Bridge Team Community Representative (2016), Vote Yes Columbia Heights (2017 & 2018)

    Community Involvement
    SACA volunteer, Co-Founder Citizens for Safer Streets

    Michelle Pettway, Director | Appointed 2022mp
    PettwayM@colheights.k12.mn.us | 763-528-4560

    Education
    Charles F Brush High School - Lyndhurst, OH
    Sanford Brown College - Medical Assisting
    NewBridge Training Academy - Phlebotomy
    American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) - Medical Coding

    Profession
    Certified Professional Coder (CPC) with Allina Health - Orthopedic Specialty

    School Board Representation
    Liaison to the City of Columbia Heights, School Board Subcommittee on Community Engagement, Liaison to North Park School for Innovation (Effective July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023). 

    School Involvement
    Co-Parent Facilitator to the Families of Color Affinity Group at North Park School for Innovation

    Community Involvement
    Open to new opportunities

    Julie Houle, Treasurer | Elected 2022  jh
    HouleJ@colheights.k12.mn.us | 763-528-4563

    Education
    DeAnza College - Cupertino, CA, Associate Degree in Business Administration
    California State University - East Bay, CA - B.S. Accounting

    Profession
    Engagement Director, Consulting & Accounting Solutions Team - CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP)
    Certified Public Accountant, Active License in MN
    Certified Internal Auditor 

    School Board Representation
    Liaison to the City of Fridley, School Board Subcommittee on Policy, MSHSL, Liaison to Columbia Academy (Effective July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023). 

    School Involvement
    Open to new opportunities

    Community Involvement
    In-home host and facilitator for classes in Biblical Citizenship