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Meet Our Team

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Cory Franson

Director of Community Engagement

Cory Franson has been a part of the ISD 728 family since 2008 working as the Program Manager for Community Education. In 2016, Cory started the role as Director of Community Engagement and Community Education. Cory has been in the field of Community Education since 2005, working in Winona, MN prior to joining ISD 728. Cory received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Winona State, and his Community Education Director’s License and Masters Degree from St. Cloud State University.

Cory provides leadership to the Community Education department and to numerous District programs including Early Education, communications, legislative involvement and community engagement opportunities.

Mike Schoemer

communications specialist: content creator / social media / photography

Mike has served the District since 2015 and is a familiar face around the community. A former writer and photographer, Mike has been taking photos and videos at school events around the area for more than 17 years. Mike graduated from Minnesota State University Moorhead with a Bachelor's in Mass Communications and has served on multiple boards for his expertise in communications and marketing. 

Mike and his three children reside in Albertville, where he has coached soccer for more than a decade.  

Mel McAlpine

communications specialist: graphic design / website / photography

Mel joined ISD 728 as a Specialist on the Communications Team in 2022 as a graphic designer, website administrator & photographer. Throughout her career in the design industry, she's gained graphic design expertise in branding, product, stationery, web and marketing - and also has experience with art directing and photography. She recently took on an additional ISD 728 role as Parent Liaison for the Nature Classroom at The Handke Center.

Since graduating with an Associate's Degree in Graphic Design, Mel has often volunteered her design skills through non-profit organizations and has volunteered her love of landscaping to various schools within the district.

She also loves supporting her community by coaching youth soccer since 2018, becoming an OtterFest committee Chair for Twin Lakes Elementary in 2019, serving as a committee member for the Beautification & Public Art Committee of Elk River since 2020 and joining the District Office's Shine Committee in 2022.

She's a fellow ISD 728 graduate and lives in downtown Elk River with her two kiddos, Finley (12) and Juniper (4) - along with their black kitty, Litten.