CCSA Board

The CCSA Board holds open meetings, typically from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., regularly throughout the school year. Please check the school calendar for upcoming meeting dates.

2025-26 SCHEDULED BOARD MEETINGS

• September 11, 2025

• October 9, 2025

• November 13, 2025

• December:  No meeting

• January 15, 2026

• February:  No meeting

• March 12, 2026

• April 9, 2026

• May 22, 2026

CLASSICAL CHARTER SCHOOL ASSOCIATION (CCSA) BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• David Champaign, President
• Christine VanRyzin, Vice President
• Arnold Shober, Secretary
• Kristen Zeimet, Treasurer
• Members: Raj Dugal, Abbey Grosskreutz, Kendall Behm, Scott Layher, Richa Aggarwal, Diego Benitez, and Ankita Dixit.

COMMITTEES

• Public Relations, Kendall Behm
• Fall Fest, Kristen Zeimet
• Compliance (behavior, building, governance), Chris VanRyzin

CCSA Board Member Bios

David Champaign
CCSA Board President
email

When my wife, Ashley, and I began researching schools for our three children to attend, we quickly knew that Classical was and is everything we were looking for and then some. We truly appreciate the curriculum and style of teaching – this couldn’t be done without having the extraordinary talent and dedication that Classical teachers and staff have. We have three children who currently attend Classical.

I grew up in New Holstein and moved to Appleton, which is where my wife was born and raised. We are grateful to be able to grow roots in a place that we love. As a family, we spend our spare time outdoors and travel to as many new places as we can. I received my bachelor’s degree in aviation from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which has allowed me to fly professionally since 2007. I am also in the process of completing my MBA with a concentration in Data Analytics through the UW system, which I hope to finish in 2022.

I am honored to be on the CCSA board, and I am excited to collaborate with all of the teachers, staff, parents and other board members. I appreciate everything that Classical has done for our
family, and I look forward to being able to give back to such a wonderful school.

Christine VanRyzin
CCSA Board Vice President
email

Hello, my name is Chris Van Ryzin. I have been involved with Classical School since before it was actually a school. In other words I was one of the original parents that started Classical and served on the first board before accepting a position in seventh grade (there was no eighth grade yet). I taught English, history, logic, and humanities, then switched to history and math until retirement in 2019. When schools reopened after the pandemic, I returned to Classical full-time to work with students who needed extra support. I also subbed the following year in 7th and 8th grade.

On a personal note, I am going to celebrate my 52nd wedding anniversary soon. My daughter, who is 32, was a Classical School graduate and a member of the first 2nd grade class with Mrs. Campshure. My son and his wife both teach high school in Kentucky. My husband, who has been semi-retired for almost 12 years, continues to work 2 days a week, and I continue to wish that days had more hours to accomplish all I want to do as an avid quilter, knitter, and crocheter.

Dr. Arnold Shober
CCSA Board Secretary
email

My wife and I have made Appleton our home since 2006, when I began work at Lawrence University as a professor of government. One of our four children began at Classical in 2019, and we are excited to support the school. I’ve lived in five states and two countries, and I appreciate the breadth of experience that Classical’s students, parents, and teachers bring to the school.

I received a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a B.A. from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.  At Lawrence, I teach American federalism, elections, media, and public policy.  My academic work looks at the organizational success of colleges, teacher mobility, assessment and accountability, and American federalism (but not all at once!). In addition to a handful of articles, I’ve written three books, all on controversies in K-12 education. Here in town, I’ve appeared regularly on WHBY, Wisconsin Public Radio, and FOX11.

Outside of class, I enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time in the dirt generally. I keep our garden, and we are starting a small cider orchard nearby.

Kristen Zeimet
CCSA Board Treasurer

Richa Aggarwal
Board Member
email

My husband, Dr. Kamal Abbi, and I, along with our two kids, moved to this area in 2016. My children were 2- and 4 years old at that time. We began researching schools and liked the curriculum and core values of Classical. We were certain that this school would help our kids, not just academically, but that being taught strong core values would help our kids become good human beings. We truly appreciate the teachers and staff at Classical who are dedicated and work hard every day to help these kids reach their potential. We have two children who have been part of the Classical family since kindergarten.

I did my medical school in India and came to the USA for my residency in Adult Psychiatry and fellowship in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. I always give credit to my teachers for where I am today. Without good mentors and good teachers, this wouldn’t have been possible. When we moved to Appleton, we felt part of a community and grateful to raise our kids at a place we love. As a family, we spend our spare time outdoors and travel to as many new places as we can.  

I am honored to be on the CCSA board, and I am excited to collaborate with all of the teachers, staff, parents, and other board members. I appreciate everything that Classical has done for our family. As a family, we look forward to continuing to give back to such a wonderful school and community. 

Raj Dugal
CCSA Board Member
email
(920) 378-2435

Classical School has been a blessing to our family. My wife Janice and I have three daughters who attended Classical School.  We have been impressed with the dedication of the administrators, teachers, support staff, board members, and other parents to the education and well-being of our children. Over the years, I have learned more about our school, the curriculum, and what makes it so successful to so many families in the area. I am honored to be a board member and help guide the mission of our school to area families.

I was born and raised in Appleton, attending Highlands Elementary, Wilson Junior High, and Appleton West. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Marquette University.  After living in Milwaukee and Madison, I returned to Appleton to raise a family. I am a member of the Appleton Downtown Rotary Club and a board member for IndUS of Fox Valley, Inc.

I began my service to the CCSA Board in the spring of 2017. I look forward to working with the entire Classical School community to help and make the educational experience of our families a rewarding one. I look forward to serving with my fellow CCSA Board Members and all others in our Classical School family.

Kendall Behm

Abbey Grosskreutz
CCSA Board Member
email

My name is Abbey Grosskreutz, and I started on the CCSA board just last year in 2024. When our oldest son, Liam, was born, we spent countless hours analyzing his educational options like so many parents do. When we found Classical, we were sold immediately based on the well-rounded curriculum and educational approach. Liam began kindergarten in 2016, and my dedication and appreciation for this school have grown every year since. I started volunteering in the classroom and helping with school events, and in 2022, when our youngest son started kindergarten, I began working at Classical full-time as a paraprofessional. Now, 4/5 of our family spends our days here at school, and I am so grateful for the opportunities and community it has provided my family. 

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay with a degree in psychology and human development, which fostered a career path into education. I am passionate about enriching environments throughout our community to benefit the children we serve, and thankful for the ability to support our school in a variety of ways. 

When we are not at Classical, our family enjoys spending time outdoors, gardening, card games, puzzles, and cooking for friends and family. 

Ankita Dixit
CCSA Board Member
email

My name is Ankita Dixit. I completed my dental training in India and later earned a Master’s degree in Healthcare Leadership from Saginaw Valley State University. I currently devote my time to raising our sons, something that keeps me closely connected to the needs and perspectives of young families within our community. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family. 

After moving to this community and exploring school options for our family, my husband and I quickly felt that Classical offered the values, structure, and learning environment we hoped for. Our older son, Suveer, loves attending Classical, and we have witnessed remarkable growth academically, socially, and in confidence. Education has always held a special place in my life; my mother has been involved in academia for over 25 years, and growing up around her work taught me the lifelong impact of a strong educational foundation.

I am honored to serve on the CCSA board, where I have the opportunity to give back to the community that has welcomed us and to support the families who place their trust in the school. Our family is grateful for the opportunities Classical has provided, and I am committed to supporting the school’s mission and contributing to its continued success.

Scott Layher
CCSA Board Member
email

To encourage and facilitate parent and community involvement in Classical School, each regular meeting of the Classical Charter School Association (CCSA) Board offers an opportunity for public comment as follows:    

1. Anyone who wishes to address the Board must complete the attached Public Comment Card and submit it to the Board President prior to the start of the meeting. Cards may be submitted in person or by email to the address listed in the directory on the school website. No additional cards will be accepted once the meeting has begun.  
2. During the Public Comment portion of each meeting, the Board President (or designee) will call on each audience member who submitted a Public Comment Card. Audience members requesting to address an item included in the current agenda will be called upon first, followed by those addressing topics not on the current agenda.  
3. When called upon, please state your name and topic. All remarks should be addressed to the Board as a whole, not to any specific member(s) or to any person who is not a member of the Board.  
4. If more than three individuals have organized to speak on the same topic, please designate a spokesperson to summarize the remarks.  
5. Please limit your comments to three minutes. Additional time may be granted at the discretion of the Board President.  
6. During the Public Comment portion of each meeting (normally not to exceed 20 minutes, subject to the discretion of the Board President), the Board and administration will listen to comments and ask clarifying questions if needed. The Board will not deliberate or take action regarding requests presented at this meeting. The Board President, upon determining a consensus of the Board, may delegate responsibility to the school’s administration or designee to follow up with the speaker within a few days following the meeting.  
7. Comments and interactions between Board members and the public are expected to be respectful, courteous, professional and civil. The Board President will be responsible for ensuring that interaction meets these standards and will disallow inappropriate interactions. The Board President or presiding officer has the authority to terminate the remarks of an individual that do not adhere to the established guidelines.  
8. Speakers may not address criticism toward an individual district employee or student of Classical School. Please follow the AASD Complaint Procedure contained in the Classical School Family Handbook in situations involving individual employees or students.