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High Point Academy

School Board Info

HPA Board of Directors

The High Point Academy Board of Directors is a panel of nine elected or appointed officials. Board positions are staggered two-year terms with seats up for election each spring. Those who serve on the school board are either elected by parents, High Point Academy faculty and staff, or are appointed by current members. Each family of an enrolled student at High Point Academy receives one vote per the number of children enrolled.


Top from left: Matt Nestberg, PJ Pertell, Josh Purser
Bottom from left: Kyle Waltz, Genna-Jo Parker, Lateka Benson, Sarah Hock, Debbie Wright, Teresa Rollins

Those who serve on the Board do so because they care about providing quality education for students. Therefore, the Board of Directors asks for your support in meeting our shared goal of educational excellence at High Point Academy. Most regularly scheduled board meetings are on the fourth Monday of the month, at 6:00 p.m., and are open to the public. All discussions are held in the open, except for executive sessions. Meetings are held in the administrative common area on the HPA campus.

Current Board Members:

Genna-Jo Parker - Chairman

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Secretary
[email protected]

Genna-Jo brings a passion for loving others to the High Point Academy Board of Directors. She is dedicated to working as a collaborative unit to achieve whatever is needed for our school's students, staff, and families. She brings an attention to detail and a sharp sense of organization to the board. In most cases, Genna-Jo says she likes to think things through before making a decision. She also strives to see things from all perspectives. Genna-Jo is originally from Virginia but moved to the Upstate of South Carolina during her childhood. A mother of three sons, one of her favorite experiences is visiting the African safari. Genna-Jo enjoys going to concerts, volunteering, and going to Clemson football games in her spare time. She also competes in triathlons. 

Matt Nestberg - Vice Chairman

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Chairman
[email protected]

With a degree in Education, Matt is passionate about caring for people and nurturing relationships. A strategic thinker, he endeavors to face challenges and conflicts in a way that builds others up and creates opportunities to find healing and resolution. His desire for HPA is to create an environment for students and teachers alike to grow in their relationships and foster a sense of community. Matt has lived in the Upstate his entire life and is married to Katie. They have three children, Jake, Molly, and Andy. They love to travel, especially to the American West and the National Parks. Matt enjoys roasting coffee, reading, hunting, gardening, and also cares for honeybees. Matt is currently the Pastor of Counseling Ministries at North Hills Church in Taylors.  

Lateka Benson - Secretary

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Board member
 
Dr. Lateka Benson holds both a doctorate and master's degree in Theology and a second master's degree in Healthcare Administration. She grew up in Spartanburg County and now resides in Moore after living in several large cities including Richmond, Baltimore, and Washington, DC.

As a software developer and guardian ad litem, Dr. Benson brings strong listening, communication, and problem-solving skills to the table. A mother of three, she is passionate about children, education, and the positive impact she can have on their futures. Her goal as a Board member is to help develop ideas, programs, and resources that empower students to succeed beyond the classroom, whether they attend college or step into a career upon graduation. Open-minded and appreciative of others' perspectives, she values the opportunity to serve on the Board of Directors to ensure every voice is heard. 

Dr. Benson's favorite vacation spot is Sweden, where her daughter played in the Gothia Soccer Cup. In addition to traveling abroad, she enjoys reading and photography.

PJ Pertell

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Board member

Leverne “PJ” Pertell is all about family. He learned to be a leader in his family because it is so large. His mother is one of 16 children! PJ’s family has been involved at High Point Academy when they enrolled his son during HPA’s very first year. His daughter later enrolled. Both children have thrived as part of the HPA family. PJ has grown to love our school over the years, loving the education and principals instilled. 


PJ, who is from Conway, SC, is a people person. He can have a conversation with anyone and is passionate about helping people excel. He works for Ecolab Chemical Company, but in his free time, he likes to enjoy basketball and time with family.

Kyle Waltz

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Board member

As a mentor and manager, Kyle enjoys the energy of a motivated team. The CFO for JM Smith Corporation and Pi Kappa Alpha regional president, he looks for ways to inspire and give back - finding pride in the success of his employees and colleagues. He is a CPA and previously served as an auditor at an international accounting firm and Fortune 500 company.


Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, he now lives with his wife Leslie in Simpsonville, where they often foster schnauzers. They enjoy golf, tennis, and travel. Amelia Island, Aruba, and South Africa are among their favorite destinations. 

Debbie Wright

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Board member

Throughout her career, Debbie Wright has been blessed to serve in various roles that help her serve the students, faculty, and parents at HPA. She has worked in education for more than 30 years as a teacher, reading interventionist, instructional coach, assistant principal, principal, Dean of Curriculum, and educational consultant. “I have a unique perspective to view the issues through the lens of a parent, teacher, and administrator,” says the long-time educator.


Born in Asheboro, North Carolina, she now lives in Lyman, South Carolina. She believes HPA has so much to celebrate but must always keep looking forward, improving, and never forgetting why we are here - to serve our students. Married with two children, she is "Gigi” to four wonderful grandsons. While her favorite place to live is in the Upstate, she and her husband love to travel.  She also enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends, and thrift shopping.  Debbie says, "I just love bargains!"

Josh Purser

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Board member

Josh is a lifelong resident of the Upstate, growing up in Boiling Springs, where he now lives with his wife, April, a teacher at High Point Academy, and two children, who are HPA students. He is currently the Chief Operating Officer of a concrete floor company, having served as a construction project manager for many years. His greatest strengths are working with a team to get things done and a willingness to go the extra mile to help ensure the future success of HPA. Josh’s mission for HPA aligns with our mission to create a foundation for students that lasts a lifetime. “I want to see HPA change the lives of students who may come from difficult backgrounds and for HPA to be a home where they know that they are important,” he says. Josh is a golfer and enjoys being involved in his children’s athletic endeavors.

Sarah Hock

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Board Member

Dr. Sarah Hock has lived in several states including Texas, Tennessee, New Jersey and North Carolina, but she loves living in South Carolina now. Sarah is Chair of the Pediatric and Perinatal Department at Sherman College. She is married to a firefighter and has two children, who both attend High Point Academy. Three dogs round out their family.


Sarah is passionate about giving back to her community as well as child development. That makes the HPA Board of Directors a great fit. She works with future chiropractors to teach them pediatric and prenatal care as well how to be involved in their communities. She researches brain development and kids with the goal of helping people understand how important a functioning nervous system is for child development 


In her spare time, Sarah likes to garden, do yoga, hike and read. 

Teresa Rollins-Treasurer

Board Treasurer

Teresa Rollins is a lifelong resident of Spartanburg. She and her husband, Chris, have been married for thirty-eight years. They raised two sons and a daughter and have welcomed a daughter in law into their family. Teresa and her husband live on the property where his dad grew up, where she maintains a vegetable garden, keeps flower beds and helps her sons tend to their animals as well as cut and bale hay!


Teresa is a long time employee of the JM Smith Corporation/Smith Drug Company. While working there, she earned an accounting degree. When her children were young, Teresa worked in an elementary school. She is excited to combine her love of children with her accounting knowledge to be an asset for High Point Academy. Not someone who leaves things unfinished, Teresa does not give up until an answer is reached or a task is completed. She has a lot of experience in multitasking and juggling roles as a wife, mother, employee and church leader. 


Teresa loves to read and spend time in the outdoors. One of her favorite family memories is when they went tent camping in Nantahala to go rafting in July. They had a great time, except the temperature by the river dropped from 95 in the day to the upper 50s and night and mom did not pack blankets. Their children still say they almost froze to death!