Since its inception in November 2004, the University Preparatory School Board has had five Board members. Charter law requires at least one member to be a parent of a current student, and the U-Prep Board has had at least one and often more parent members. In addition to developing the by-laws, policies, and procedures for the school, the members have received training in charter law, finance, and governance. Board meetings generally occur once a month with two Board retreats annually. At the retreats, Board members review policy, handbooks, and charter documents while also addressing topics such as mission and vision, strategic planning, and accreditation. The U-Prep School Board is a Brown Act Board and follows the open meeting procedures; each meeting includes a budget report, an update on student achievement, and time dedicated to board training/development. In 2008, the Board began the process which would lead to the establishment of the University Preparatory School Educational Foundation. The U-Prep School Board’s current areas of focus include sustainability of academic and college readiness programs and services, increasing dual enrollment course offerings, ensuring high quality professional development for staff, and strengthening partnerships with families, community agencies and businesses, and colleges. Parents and community members, who are interested in serving a four year term on the school board, should send a letter expressing interest to the Board President.

Daren Fisher, President

Daren Fisher grew up in the San Joaquin Valley city of Bakersfield, CA. After graduating from high school, he attended UC Berkeley where he graduated with a B.A in Economics. Moving to Southern California, Daren spent the next 27 years working in the consumer finance and mortgage lending industries. In 2016, Daren moved with his family to Redding where he has worked for the County of Shasta for nearly six years as an Analyst.

Free time is spent with his wife Diane, and his son Leland. They love to travel as a family, enjoying new experiences and exploring different cultures. Daren’s son will be a senior at U-Prep next year and Daren enjoys investing time in his son’s pursuits. Since volunteering is a very important part of Daren’s life, as he has been a coach for his son’s basketball and baseball teams, President of the Music Maker PTA (Newhall Elementary School District), Treasurer of his son’s Summit Seals Swim Team, and he has also taken on volunteer roles with the CAL Berkeley Alumni Association.

Daren truly loves U-Prep, the teachers, administration, and the overall commitment to excellence, and looks forward to working to ensure our students, families, and community continue to have the best opportunities for success.

Sue Brix, Vice-President

Sue Brix grew up in the Bay Area and moved to Redding in 1974 when her husband, Randy, was offered a teaching job in Burney. She started working at Shasta College in 1976 as an administrative assistant. After 34 years (and working in numerous departments), she retired in August of 2010. She has been involved in education for almost 40 years.

Mrs. Brix has volunteered for many organizations. During the past 20 years, she has served on the boards of Palo Cedro Youth Soccer, Boy Scouts of America, Shasta Union High School district, Another Chance Animal Welfare League, as well as the Grand Jury in 2001-02.

Mrs. Brix has two children, Ryan who works for Chevron and is currently on a rotation schedule in Angola, Africa (one month work – one month off), and Stacy who lives in Walnut Creek and is a 9th grade health teacher in Danville. Mrs. Brix is enjoying her retirement with her husband (retired from SUHSD as Associate Superintendent of Instruction) and visiting her two grandchildren, Diana and Angelina (with another one on the way!). She has become a frequent I-5 commuter!

Besides going to the Bay Area to visit her kids and grandkids, she and Randy enjoy travelling, RV’ing, snow skiing and working around their home. They harvested their first crop of grapes this year (2013) from the re-planted vineyard and make wine as a hobby.

Mrs. Brix enjoys being part of a Board of a school that has such a good reputation and looks forward to ensuring that the vision and mission of U-Prep continues on for many years.

Mike Littau, Member

Mike Littau grew up in the Bay Area. In 1995 he relocated to Redding and attended Simpson University, where he earned a B.A. in Communications. Mike is married with 4 children. 3 of the children attend U-Prep with his oldest graduating in the class of 2020.

After working in various banking and financial services jobs, Mike opened up an insurance office in 2006 with North State Insurance. Mike volunteers much of his time working with local soccer organizations and business groups. Free time is spent with family, coaching soccer, playing baseball and traveling whenever spare time can be found. Mike loves to run, you might find him on some of the various trails in town if you can keep up with him!

Mike feels honored to serve on the University Preparatory School Board. He is proud to be an active member of a school with such high recognition and commitment to excellence. He is looking forward to problem solving and brainstorming with his fellow Board Members and hopes to offer any support needed to continue the success of U-Prep for many years to come!

Susan Saephanh, Member

Susan Saephanh is a Redding, California native and a University Preparatory School alumna. She was a member of the inaugural graduating class. While at U-Prep, Susan led the award-winning yearbook team as editor-in-chief overseeing the creative art direction and product design and development. She is proud to call U-Prep her alma mater.

Prior to joining the board, Susan assisted public relations account executives at a marketing agency. She also worked with a talented digital creative studio as a student in their digital boot camp. She’s passionate about creativity especially in design and technology and how humans influence today's digital products. Susan received a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communication with a minor in Textiles & Clothing at the University of California, Davis.

Susan is currently a content manager for a local multimedia group. When she’s not managing content or web projects, you can find Susan at craft coffee shops dreaming about a world where code is a second language. She will be joining Leadership Redding this year as a selected class member of 2015-2016.

Michael Stuart, Member

Michael J. Stuart joined the University Preparatory School Board in June 2013; his 38 years of educational experience culminating in serving as a board member. He lives in Redding with his wife Erin, the former Principal/Superintendent and one of the founders of University Preparatory School.

Michael was a high school history teacher and football and basketball coach at Chester Jr. /Sr. High School for 15 years. He then became a high school Assistant Principal at Shasta High School for 3 years followed by a 6 year stint as Enterprise High School principal. He was selected by the Board of Trustees of the Shasta Union High School District as the District Superintendent in 1998. He was in this position for ten years and then retired from the district.

In his “retirement” he has served as an Interim Superintendent at Durham Unified School District and at the Gateway Unified School district for one year each. He also was the Lead Faculty for the Administrative Credential and Masters in Education program for National University at the Redding campus for four years. Michael has a strong commitment to University Preparatory School, its mission and to the people who work so hard to create an exemplary school that is an excellent environment for the success of students.