Monarch School for Children Impacted by Homelessness Adds Industry-Recognized Erin Spiewak to Executive Team

Spiewak to Collaborate with Current CEO and Incoming President of the Board Ronne Froman to Ensure School's Continued Success as it Grows into Larger Facility. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) January 06, 2012 - Monarch School, a San Diego public K-12 school for children impacted by homelessness and the only school of its kind in the country, is expanding its executive team with the addition of Erin Spiewak as the new CEO. Spiewak has a proven track record of nonprofit leadership and joins current CEO Ronne Froman, who is transitioning into the role of president of the Board of Directors. The two will work together leading Monarch School as it continues its Capital Campaign and prepares to break ground on a new campus.

Spiewak has an impressive track record, bringing years of experience in education and nonprofits to Monarch School. Most recently, Spiewak served as executive director for the Gary and Mary West Foundation, San Diego's largest private family foundation, which has committed more than $10 million to support innovative education and workforce programs. Prior to this role, she served as program officer at the West Foundation and earlier as program staff and financial analysis for the Rose Foundation/WebMD Health Foundation. Spiewak's notable professional affiliations include: founding board member and treasurer for the Downtown Charter High School; education advisory committee member for the United Way of San Diego County; education committee chair for Women Give San Diego; and chair for San Diego Workforce Funders Collaborative.

"Monarch's entire Board couldn't be more thrilled to welcome Erin Spiewak as the new CEO," said Jim McMillan, outgoing president of the Monarch School Board of Directors. "Spiewak's understanding of nonprofits, passion for education and successful leadership and fundraising experience makes her an invaluable part of our team. Combined with the ongoing strategic leadership of Ronne Froman, now chairing our Board, the organization couldn't be in better hands."

Spiewak's involvement with Monarch School dates back to 2003 as a volunteer helping lead a mentor program, a stint that resulted in her being named "Volunteer of the Year" in 2004. Through this involvement, Spiewak said she experienced the transformative opportunity the organization provides its students, families and the community, and was inspired to continue pursuing further opportunities in nonprofit education work.

"The program Monarch School has established, offering the highest academic standards while also providing basic needs like clothing, food and emotional support services, is vital to countering the rise in homelessness and giving these children the tools they need to prosper," said Spiewak. "Higher test scores and rising student achievements are just two testaments among many that prove this program works. It's also an exciting time for Monarch School as we approach the ground breaking of the new campus that will allow us to serve even more students. I couldn't be prouder to be joining Ronne and the amazing Board and staff as we work together to help build a bright future for these kids."

Monarch School will break ground on the new campus in February in the East Village-Barrio Logan area of Downtown San Diego, just south of Petco Park. The new campus will allow Monarch School to serve more than double its current student population.

Spiewak started at Monarch School Jan. 3 and will serve alongside Froman throughout the coming month. She will officially begin her role as Monarch CEO on Feb. 1, at which time Froman will fully transition into president of the Board of Directors for Monarch School. Froman will be filling the role previously held by McMillian, who served for two years and will remain on the Board and executive committee as past chair.

Monarch School is a public school exclusively for children impacted by homelessness. It operates through a unique partnership with the public school system and the organization's nonprofit arm so that it can provide resources, programs and opportunities that eliminate the barriers to a quality education. Monarch School also supplements homeless students' basic needs, including food, hygiene kits, clothing, school supplies and more. For additional information about Monarch School and opportunities to donate or volunteer, visit http://monarchschools.org or join in the conversation at http://facebook.com/monarchschool or http:// twitter.com/SanDiegoMonarch.

About Monarch School:
Founded in 1988, Monarch School, located in downtown San Diego, is a public K-12 school exclusively for students who are at-risk and impacted by homelessness. Monarch School represents a unique public-private partnership between the San Diego County Office of Education and the Monarch School Project, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Today, 150 students between the ages of 4 and 19 are enrolled. Monarch School's committed team of educators, support staff and volunteers is dedicated to providing homeless and at-risk children with an accredited education while caring for their basic needs. Monarch School will break ground on its new campus in downtown San Diego in early 2012. For more information, visit http://monarchschools.org or call (619) 237-7678.

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