School Board

Sonja Howerton, Board Chair

Sonja Howerton is a native Idahoan with deep roots and a passion for creating opportunities that help children and families thrive. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Communications from Boise State University, as well as an MBA and Master’s in Marketing from Grand Canyon University.

Sonja brings 23 years of experience in education, with much of her career focused on supporting online and nontraditional learners. Her work has included student enrollment and recruitment, building community connections for online students, developing enrichment opportunities for students and parents, and connecting families with educational resources and opportunities across the country.

For the past five years, Sonja has served as Executive Director of the Idaho Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers, where she works to advance Idaho’s response to child maltreatment for healthy and hopeful futures.

Sonja is passionate about serving on the Trailhead Virtual Academy Board because of her longstanding belief in the potential of online education when students are intentionally connected to their school, their peers, their communities, and their futures. She is particularly excited about Trailhead’s emphasis on career and technical education across all grade levels, giving students early opportunities to explore their interests, develop real-world skills, and enter adulthood with a leg up in the career world.

Karen Mcgee, Vice Chair

Karen Mcgee has spent more than three decades in Idaho public service and education policy. She holds a BS and MS in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Idaho State University and has completed doctoral coursework in Education, also at ISU.

Karen served fifteen years on the Pocatello City Council, including two terms as Council President, and has chaired numerous state boards and commissions, among them the Idaho Workforce Development Council, the Idaho Governor’s Committee for Welfare Reform, and the National Governors Association’s State Workforce Board Chairs. She was appointed by the Governor of Idaho as Cabinet Officer and Education Advisor, and served on the Idaho State Board of Education, where she chaired the board and later served as Interim Director for Assessment and Accountability. Karen is also a principal author of Idaho’s original Charter School legislation.

Her service has extended to national work as a board member of the Department of Defense Education Activity, and she currently serves on the national board of Parents for School Options.

Karen brings this depth of policy, governance, and education experience to her role as Vice Chair of the Trailhead Virtual Academy Board.

Fred Ostermeyer, Trustee

Fred Ostermeyer is a North Idaho native with more than 45 years of professional investment experience. He is the owner of Managed Resources, LLC, and holds a BA from the University of Idaho along with advanced credentials in financial consulting and fiduciary practice, including his MRFC and AIF designations.

Beyond his financial consulting career, Fred has a long history of community and education service in North Idaho, including as an elected Trustee and Chair of the North Idaho College Board of Trustees, State Chair for Idaho’s community colleges, and a member of the Idaho Department of Insurance’s Continuing Education Committee. He has also served on the Post Falls Planning and Zoning Commission and the Museum of North Idaho board.

As a Trustee of Trailhead Virtual Academy, Fred brings financial expertise and a strong commitment to education and community service, with a focus on delivering Idaho’s core educational standards through an efficient, personalized approach that emphasizes collaboration among families, students, and teachers.

Chris Williams, Trustee

Chris Williams is a Senior Procurement Program Manager with Micron Technology and brings more than 30 years of experience in the semiconductor industry. Chris is passionate about education, leadership, and helping students gain access to innovative learning opportunities. As a Trailhead Virtual Academy Trustee, he is committed to supporting student success and advancing the school’s mission of providing flexible, high-quality learning experiences to students across Idaho.

Monthly Board Meeting Schedule: 

**Denotes Special Meeting

• Transparent Idaho
• Idaho Report Card

• Lottery Policy

Proposed FY26-27 Budget for Trailhead Virtual Academy: