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Pettisville School Foundation Overview
The Pettisville School Foundation, a 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1986, supports Fulton County’s Pettisville Local Schools. Pettisville is a School that serves students from over ten area school districts. The PSF is governed by a board of nine trustees and has over 300 members. The Foundation has a modest endowment of around $400,000, but since its founding has donated more than three million dollars to the school and its students. The Foundation’s model of service is based on four pillars:
SCHOLARSHIPS- The PSF Scholarship Program provides ten annual scholarships to PHS graduating seniors, for both higher education and career training and support.
GRANTS- Teacher+ Grants, typically with a maximum award of $500 fund creative projects benefitting students, school, or the community.
FAMILY FUND- The Family Fund provides assistance when students (or families) experience a financial or other situation that might hinder them from participating fully in student life at Pettisville. The Family Fund is the heart of the PSF’s efforts to find needs and meet them.
MAJOR PROJECTS- The PSF has conducted major projects:
The Atrium, a reception and event area joining the older and newer portions of the school. (2010)
Capital Drive Addition, a nearly two-million-dollar 30,000 square-foot project, including a gymnasium, library, computer labs, commons area and offices. (1994)
Eight-Lane Track and Field Facility, with the PSF serving as fiscal agent for parents and friends who funded and constructed the track, and later upgraded it to an all-weather facility. (1991)
We are heartbroken to have to report that PSF trustee and treasurer Neil Rupp passed away on November 9, 2022. Neil was a genuinely special person who had a gigantic heart for service to others and demonstrated that heart through his tireless work and generosity.
Neil served as a PSF Trustee for 30 years, and served as president from 1996 to 2003, and treasurer since 2008. He commented often how he enjoyed writing checks for the PSF’s Family Fund, which helps students and families in need.
Neil was a very special friend and I could sum up his essence in these words:
They simply do not come any better. He will genuinely be missed.
Steve Switzer,
Executive Director, PSF
Trustees of the Pettisville School Foundation
Trustees of the Pettisville School Foundation
According to the PSF Code of Regulations, the board of trustees is made up of nine members with seven elected by membership and two appointed by the Pettisville Local Board of Education. Members' terms are for three calendar years. Trustees serve without distinction between elected and appointed members.
2023-2024-2025 Term
Mr. Dave Grieser has been a PSF trustee since 1990 and has served as vice president and president. Dave is a graduate of EMHS in Harrisonburg, VA in 1966 and is married to Kathleen (Miller, ‘66) Grieser. They have one son, Jason (’92). Dave is founder of Dave’s Sand and Stone, now doing business as Grieser Transportation.
Mr. Terry Rufenacht is a (’75) graduate of Pettisville He and his wife Terri have two children, a son Justin (’05), and a daughter Danielle (’07) both PHS graduates. Terry is president of Tri-Flo Inc. and Sec/Treas. Of Pettisville Grain Company.
Mrs. Pam (Nafziger) Skates is a ’92 graduate of Pettisville and a ’96 graduate of Adrian College. Pam and her husband Jerry have a daughter Jordan (’18) and a son Baden (’22). Pam is the Operation Support Manager at Sauder Building Products and member of the Pettisville School Board of Education. (Board of Education Appointee)
2022-2023-2024 Term
Mrs. Kristen Rupp is a graduate of Wauseon High School and International Business College and is married to PHS grad Phil Rupp (‘82). They live in Pettisville and are the parents of PHS grads Jeremiah (‘09) and Jacob (‘11). Kristen is the inside sales manager at Rupp Seeds.
Mr. Thomas McWatters III is an attorney with Barber, Kaper, Stamm, McWatters & Whitlock. He has degrees from Taylor University (B.S., 1982), University of Toledo College of Law (J.D., 1986), Biola University (M.A., 1998), and Duke University (Ph.D., 2010). A resident of Fulton County for over 30 years, he and his wife Angie are open-enrollment parents to Zachary (‘23), Thomas IV (‘21), and Jessica (‘20).
Mr. Brent King, a member and appointee of the board of education for the 2016-2018 term. Mr. King and his wife Stephanie reside north of Pettisville on County Road 19. They are parents to Dillon, (‘18), Jacob (‘21), and Alli (‘23). A graduate of Archbold High School, Brent is a co-owner of King Lumber located east of Tedrow. (Board of Education Appointee)
2021-2022-2023 Term
Mrs. Callie (Graffice) Jacoby is a ‘93 graduate of PHS, ‘97 graduate of Hillsdale College and ‘02 MBA graduate of University of Findlay. She and her husband, John, have two sons, Graeme is a (’20) and Cayden (’23). She has had extensive involvement with non-profits. Her father, Steve, was a founding trustee of the PSF.
Mr. John Poulson is a 1977 graduate of Fairview High School and a 1981 & 1988 graduate of The Ohio State University. He served as instructor of agriculture education and FFA Advisor at Pettisville from 1990 to 2023. He and his wife, Lexie, are parents to Jessie (Patrick) Schulze (‘02) and Shane (Hilary) Poulson (‘05). Lexie maintains and updates the mailing lists for PSF
Mr. Dan Sauder is a ’87 graduate of PHS and an industrial engineering graduate of Clemson University in 1991. He has served as a trustee since 1997. He lives east of Pettisville with his wife Esmeralda (Avina, ’87) and children Daniel (‘14), Andrew (‘16), and Elizabeth (‘18). Dan is VP of Engineering and new markets at Sauder Woodworking.
2023 PSF Trustees: Back Row, L-R: Brent King, Terry Rufenacht, Dave Grieser, Callie Jacoby.
Front Row, L-R: Tom McWatters, John Poulson, Kristen Rupp, Pam Skates.
Missing: Dan Sauder
2022 PSF Trustees: Dan Sauder, John King, Brent King, Neil Rupp, Dave Grieser, Tom McWatters III, Callie Jacoby, Kristen Rupp, and John Poulson.
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