--- title: About Us l Franklin Education Connection description: We support innovative, creative and proven ways to promote learning in Franklin Community Schools in Indiana. image: https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/hubfs/Meta-FEC.png --- [![Franklin Education Connection](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/hubfs/Franklin-Education-Connection-Website-Logo-White-2.png) ![Franklin Education Connection](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/hubfs/Franklin-Education-Connection-Website-Logo.png)](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org?hsLang=en) Toggle navigation Toggle navigation - [ABOUT US](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/about-us) - [SUPPORT](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/support) - [STUDY BUDDY](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/study-buddy) - [FIRST SCHOLAR MENTOR](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/mentor) - [GRANTS](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/grants) - [CONTACT US](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/contact-us) - [FRANKLIN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS](https://www.franklinschools.org/) - [SEARCH](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/search) Search Box # ABOUT US ### Supporting Innovative, Creative, Proven Education *Video by ZW Productions* Franklin Education Connection supports innovative, creative and proven ways to help students learn and give them opportunities to be successful in and beyond the classroom. Using community resources, we enhance academic excellence and instill a lifelong love of learning by connecting Franklin Community Schools. Our Education Foundation provides grants for programs to enhance academic achievement, while Study Connection and FCHS First Scholars join dedicated adult volunteers with students needing extra guidance to succeed. You are invited to be part of this remarkable community-school partnership. ##### Questions? [CONTACT US](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/contact-us?hsLang=en) ## Our Commitment Alumni and friends like you believe deeply in the work of Franklin Community Schools. You share a commitment to educating great students. That is why the Franklin Community Schools Education Foundation was launched in 2010. The Education Foundation joined with Study Connection in 2013 to create Franklin Education Connection, and provides grants for classroom programs and academic projects. ### Our Vision To help each Franklin Community Schools student achieve his or her fullest potential. ### Our Mission To supplement and support work of schools and community by providing resources to enhance each student’s academic experience. ### Our Purpose To raise and distribute funds and other resources to support programs that enhance the academic experience of students within the Franklin Community Schools. ## Get Involved **Give Your Time to Support Student Success** Franklin Education Connection seeks volunteers who share our passion for making our schools a great place for our students to learn. We need many varieties of talents — whether it’s helping children with their homework, assisting teachers with a project, reviewing grant applications or organizing a fundraising event. If you are an alumnus, you can give back to the schools who taught you. If you are a friend of Franklin schools or someone wanting to help, you will not find a more fulfilling cause. Tell us how you would like to help. [START THE PROCESS](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/application?hsLang=en) ![Get Involved as a Study Buddy](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/hubfs/Tile-Get-Involved-2.png) ## Our Leadership ### Melissa Parramore Executive Director Melissa Parramore holds a bachelor's degree in Merchandising from Indiana University, Bloomington. She worked as a Buyer for Spiegel, just outside of Chicago before entering the nonprofit world. Melissa's career in Franklin began as Study Connection Director in 2013. Career highlights thus far include leading Study Connection to the Volunteer Programming Award from Serve Indiana in 2015.  Melissa was awarded The Diane Black Servant Leader Award from Leadership Johnson County in 2020 for her work with the Study Connection program. In 2018, she assumed the role of FCHS First Scholars' Facilitator, working with our first-generation potential college students.  She is excited to serve as Executive Director, assuming the lead of the Education Foundation in addition to the SC program and FCHS First Scholars.  Melissa is a huge fan of all things IU - especially basketball! In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family and friends.  Melissa and her husband, Rob, have two grown daughters who attended Franklin Community Schools before college. Her passion for education and love of learning led to her current position. [EMAIL MELISSA](mailto:parramorem@franklinschools.org) ![Team-Melisssa](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Team-Melisssa.png?width=1000&height=951&name=Team-Melisssa.png) ### Board of Directors ##### Executive Committee **Dustin Huddleston, President** *Attorney* Huddleston & Huddleston **Kellie Schmidt, Vice President** *Associate Dean of Student Success* Franklin College **Craig Bland, Treasurer** *Vice President* First National Bank **Tina Gross\*, Secretary** *Chief Financial Officer* Franklin Community Schools **Greg Moore** *Principal and Owner* Sylvan Learning Center **Brandi Terrell** Community Member ##### Members **Steve Ahaus\*** *Franklin Community High School Principal* Franklin Community Schools **Robin Betts\*** *Community and Public Relations Director* Franklin Community Schools **Kristi Bruther** *Director* Dickinson Juvenile Justice Center/Juvenile Detention **Maureen Burkardt ** *Senior Director of Operations* Premise Health   **Dr. Susan Crisafulli** *Professor of English* Franklin College   **Chris Flowers** *Service Platform and Process Development Manager* Endress + Hauser **Zach DeWitt** *Financial Advisor* Edward Jones   **Hannah Griggs** *Special Education Teacher* Clark Pleasant Schools   **Dr. Mark Heiden\*** *Creekside Elementary School Principal* Franklin Community Schools   **Rita Holman\*** *Franklin Community Middle School Principal* Franklin Community Schools   **Dusty Heuchan** *Financial Advisor* Baird Private Wealth Management -  Matthews Snyder Group   **Danielle Kinnett** *Probation Officer* Dickinson Juvenile Justice Center/Juvenile Detention **Eric Leugers** *Owner and CEO* Leugers Insurance **Laura Mattox** *IU Bloomington Pathways Specialist* Indiana University, Bloomington   **Kristi Ott** *Owner* The Knitting Otter   **Tara Payne** *Chief of Staff* City of Franklin **Jennifer Price** *Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer* Mutual Savings Bank **Ryan Roberts** *Tax Manager* Hash CPA Group, LLC *\*Ex-Officio Board Member * - - - [mailto:parramorem@franklinschools.org](mailto:parramorem@franklinschools.org) **Franklin Education Connection** P.O. Box 903 Franklin, IN 46131 [tel:3175248544](tel:3175248544)317.524.8544 © 2026 [Franklin Education Connection](https://www.franklineducationconnection.org?hsLang=en) All rights reserved - [Clever Dogs Media](https://www.cleverdogsmedia.com/)