About Us – Leadership & Governance
Leading with Vision and Local Pride
As a former TV news anchor with decades of experience in storytelling, Norm Jones understands that every great community has a story worth telling—and investing in. As the Executive Director of the Milton Black Panthers Foundation, Norm serves as the primary liaison between the community’s generosity and the District’s greatest needs.
A Milton resident and parent, Norm’s role is to ensure that every strategic investment made by the Foundation translates into a tangible, life-changing opportunity for a student. Whether coordinating with the Board of Directors or meeting with local business partners, his goal remains the same: to inspire Panther Pride by securing the ‘unfunded essentials’ that empower our students to excel.
Board of Directors: Our Stewards of Excellence
The Milton Black Panthers Foundation is governed by a dedicated group of District leaders and community professionals. Together, they ensure that every gift is managed with integrity and aligned with our mission to enhance student wellbeing.
District Leadership:
Dr. John Bickhart
Superintendent
Joel Harris
School District Board Representative
Darren Tull
Assistant Business Manager
Foundation Board Members:
Jo-Ellen Fedder
President
Andrew McNeal
Vice President
Gwen Hackenberg
Megan Crawford
Taffney Strous
Mike Moser
John Waldron
Dave Edinger
Lisa Stokes
Mike Kaar
Our History: The Panther Legacy
Built on a Foundation of Service
The Milton Black Panthers Foundation didn’t appear overnight; it is the evolution of decades of community commitment. Our roots trace back to humble beginnings where passionate educators saw a need to fill the financial gaps to help our students and faculty. In recent years, passionate educators and community members created the Panther Legacy group, launching a One Million dollar Capital Campaign to modernize our facilities.
We stand on the shoulders of giants like the late Kathleen Brautigam, whose passion for Milton students helped launch the very idea of funding those “unfunded educational essentials.” Kathleen, along with other community pioneers, understood that a school budget covers the basics, but a community’s investment creates excellence.
Today, the Foundation carries that torch forward—turning the momentum of past successes into a permanent resource that will support the Milton Area School District for generations to come.
In Memoriam: Kathleen Brautigam
A Visionary for Milton, A Pioneer for Education
The Milton Black Panthers Foundation exists because Kathleen “Kathy” Brautigam believed that a student’s potential should never be limited by a budget. Kathy, who passed away in March 2026, was more than just a founding member of the Foundation—she was its heart and its primary architect.
A Lifetime of Leadership
Kathy was a nationally recognized leader in educational technology. From her 18 years as a teacher in the Milton School District to her tenure as Director of the Bureau of Educational Technology for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, she was always ahead of the curve. She co-authored pioneering books on educational computing and testified before state and federal committees, yet she always remained rooted in the community she loved.
Her Impact on Milton
For over ten years, Kathy served as Chairman of the Board for the Foundation. Her commitment to our students extended far beyond the boardroom:
- The Educator: She spent nearly two decades in Milton classrooms, serving as a teacher, yearbook advisor, and mentor.
- The Advocate: She worked tirelessly with Children and Youth Services and championed social justice, inclusivity, and education for all.
Continuing Her Legacy
Kathy had a rare gift for helping people see their own potential. She led by example—with resilience, a bright smile, and a generosity of spirit that left a lasting mark on everyone she touched.
As we move forward, the Milton Black Panthers Foundation remains committed to the mission Kathy helped launch: providing the “unfunded essentials” that allow every student to excel. We do this work in her honor, ensuring that her passion for innovation and her love for the Milton community live on in every project we fund.
Governance & Transparency
Our Commitment: We take our role as stewards seriously. The Foundation works in lock-step with MASD leadership to identify high-impact projects that might otherwise go unfunded. By bridging the gap between public funding and private philanthropy, we ensure our students have access to the very best in academics, arts, and athletics.
Transparency is the cornerstone of our relationship with the Milton community. As a registered nonprofit, the Milton Black Panthers Foundation adheres to all IRS regulations regarding public disclosure and financial accountability.
Public Inspection: In accordance with federal law, our annual tax forms (Form 990) and applications for tax-exempt status are available for public inspection. We welcome our donors and community members to review our commitment to fiscal responsibility.
How to Request Information: Interested parties may request copies of these documents by submitting a written request to:
Milton Black Panthers Foundation 700 Mahoning Street Milton, PA 17847
