Board of Directors

The Syracuse Arts Academy (SAA) Board of Directors is a non-profit governing body made up of caring and experienced parents, grandparents and community members established to oversee the implementation of the school charter as approved by the Utah State Charter School Board.  The Governing Board of Directors adheres to the philosophy that the ability of the school to carry out its mission and meet its goals depends heavily on the ability to provide strategic direction, select and support strong school leaders, and ensure the financial stability of the school. For more detailed information, view our Board Rules of Order and Procedure.

Board Members

June 2024

Mary Johnston was born and raised in Ogden. She attended Weber State University for her Bachelor’s degree in English and history. She has a Master’s of Education from WSU as well. Mary earned her Administrator’s Endorsement from Utah State University. She taught English, drama, speech, and cheerleading at SandRidge Jr High. She then went to Bonneville High School and taught English for 11 years where she was the drill team and student government adviser.

As an administrator, Mary was an assistant principal at Roy High for 2 ½ years; principal of South Jr. High for 3 ½ years; Supervisor of Secondary Education at Weber School District for 8 years.

After 25 years, she retired from WSD. She volunteered for a kindergarten class for one year. Fun! She mentored 10 new teachers for WSD to help them through their first year of teaching, moved on to teach at NUAMES charter school, where she developed the curriculum for ACT Preparation and Financial Literacy.

Mary was a council member for Washington Terrace for three terms. That was a real learning experience to see how government works. Her husband is a retired veterinarian, and she has four children with nine grandchildren.

Mary is excited to be a Board member at Syracuse Arts. It is an exciting school where together we can make learning fun and meaningful.

mjohnston@saacharter.org

June 2026

Rene Dreiling was raised in Victoria, Kansas.  Upon graduation from Ft Hays Kansas State University he entered the U.S. Air Force and was commissioned a 2nd Lt.  He completed Navigator Flight School and then flew multiple fighter & bomber aircraft.  Rene completed his military career as a headquarters staff officer managing flight training /exercise budgets and developing on-site inspection diagrams for the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.   After retiring from the military he was appointed Chief Deputy Treasurer for Sarpy County, Nebraska’s third largest county, where he served for twenty years before retirement.  In addition to his degree from Ft. Hays, Rene has completed an additional Bachelor degree in Accounting from Bellevue University and a Masters in Administration from Georgia College & University.  He also graduated from Air Command & Staff College.

Rene is married to Marilyn (Mimi) Dreiling and they have two adult children, Stephanie and Mark.  Their decision to move to Utah was predicated on being closer to their only grandchild, Katelyn, a student at Syracuse Arts Academy.  Rene and Mimi both enjoy time with family and friends, travel, reading, and outdoor adventures to include off-roading & kayaking.

Volunteerism has always been part of Rene’s life.  He has spent many years actively serving on boards of the American Diabetes Association Leadership Council, Lions Club, Military Officers Association of America, and Boy Scouts of America.  Most recently he has spent most of his volunteer time as a morning crossing guard at Syracuse Arts Academy.  He enjoys safeguarding the children on their way to school every morning and greets every child, teacher, and parent with a smile. Rene values a school environment that encourages every child to do their best and achieve all their dreams, and he sees that ideal offered at Syracuse Arts Academy.

rdreiling@saacharter.org

June 2025

Jerrad Pullum is married to Deborah Johnson Pullum and they are the parents of six kids ages 11 to 28 and four grandkids ages 2 to 5.  He works on Hill Air Force Base in the Product Data Services Division as a civil servant.  Jerrad served in the United States Air Forces as both an enlisted member and an officer.

Jerrad enjoys swimming, snowboarding, genealogy, information technology, and spending time with his family in his free time.

jpullum@saacharter.org

Financial Oversight

The Governing Board oversees the financial health of Syracuse Arts Academy. All budgets are approved by the Governing Board and published on the Utah Public Finance website. To contact the board with any questions or concerns, email us at board@saacharter.org.  

In accordance with Utah Code Ann. Section 53G-7-309, the governing board receives a budget report each month.  This budget report includes the following information: (i) the amounts of all budget appropriations; (ii) the disbursements from the appropriations as of the date of the report; and (iii) the percentage of the disbursements as of the date of the report.  The report is also available for public review.  You can get a copy of Syracuse Arts Academy's current monthly financials.

The Board Audit Committee is comprised of the Financial Coordinator and the Vice Chair.

Stakeholders of Syracuse Arts Academy may report financial concerns regarding fraud, waste, abuse, or non-compliance directly to the School in accordance with the School’s grievance policies.  Alternatively, stakeholders may report such financial concerns to the Utah State Board of Education through their Public Education Hotline at (801) 538-7813.

Board Meetings

All Syracuse Arts Academy (SAA) Board of Directors Meetings are open to the public. Meeting information is posted at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance and includes the time and location on the Utah Public Notice website. SAA follows the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act. If you are interested in receiving an automatic email or RSS feed whenever the SAA Board of Directors will be having a public meeting, you may visit the Utah Public Notice Website and search for Syracuse Arts Academy.

2023-2024 Board Meeting Schedule

**Please note that not all previous meeting minutes are available.  To request an electronic or written copy of prior years’ minutes, please email your request to Dale Pfister at dpfister@saacharter.org.

Founding Members

Jennie Bair

Shauna Bradford

Janae Davenport

Tami Olsen

Tami Poe

Vicky Veazie

Chris Dallin

Andrea Larkin

Brian & Jana Truman

Charlene Nelson

Lyle Elmore

  • Nov28
    Wizard of Oz rehearsal
    Orchestra/Band
  • Nov29
    Glee Club (music rm)/Small Scale Singers (gym)
  • Nov30
    Wizard of Oz rehearsal
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