Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Nathan Werner
Workers’ Compensation Claims Assistant
Nathan Werner graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor’s Degree, majoring in Integrated Marketing and Communication. Nathan joined Wichita Public Schools in August 2021 as an Administrative Assistant for Secondary Hiring in the Staffing department of Human Resources. Nathan was promoted to Executive Assistant to the Chief Human Resource Officer in 2022 and in 2023 moved to his current role of Workers’ Compensation Claims Assistant.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Providing support to the Workers’ Compensation program in timely and accurate assistance in claims processing of employee claims in accordance with best practices and state regulations
(316)973-4504
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Jeana Melton
Employee Benefits Health, Wellness & Disability Technician (Classified Staff)
Jeana Melton joined Wichita Public Schools in 2021 as an Administrative Assistant to assist with the COVID Hotline and was promoted in July of 2022 to the Employee Benefits Health, Wellness & Disability Technician for classified staff. She completed her Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Development and Transformational Change from Friends University in 2017. Before coming to Wichita Public Schools, she developed extensive experience in inventory management and logistics, while obtaining her certification in Six Sigma for the aviation industry.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Classified staff contact for Medical Leave
- Classified staff contact for FMLA
- Classified staff contact for Maternity/Parental/Adoptive Leave
(316)973-4458
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Nicole Heizelman
Employee Benefits Health, Wellness & Disability Technician (Certified Staff)
Nicole Heizelman graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor’s Degree, double-majoring in Human Resource Management and Economics and minoring in Management. Throughout college, she worked as a preschool teacher at a Wichita area childcare facility. Just before her final semester of college, Nicole joined Wichita Public Schools in November 2016 as a Human Resources co-op to gain experience in her major. Following her graduation, she transitioned into full-time positions within the Human Resources Department, eventually moving into her current role as the Employee Benefits Health, Wellness, and Disability Technician for Certified Staff. She was a past recipient of the Apple Award due to her work during the COVID pandemic.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Certified staff contact for Medical Leave
- Certified staff contact for FMLA
- Certified staff contact for Maternity/Parental/Adoptive Leave
- Unpaid Health Leave of Absences
(316)973-4632
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Sandra Cruz
Workers' Compensation Technician
Sandra Cruz graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. She joined Wichita Public Schools in 2013 and has held a variety of positions within Human Resources including many years with Employee Benefits & Insurance Management, the Employee Relations office, and assistance to the Property & Casualty program, bringing a wealth of experience to her current role which she has been in since 2018.
Areas of responsibility include:
- Administering all aspects of the district's Workers' Compensation program
- Authorization and coordination of care as directed by Kansas State Statutes under the KS Department of Labor
(316)973-4579
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Alexis Summers
Retirement Specialist
Alexis Summers graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Management. She began her career with Wichita Public Schools as a Human Resources co-op intern in 2018. Alexis was promoted to an Administrative Assistant within Human Resources supporting our special schools and non-attendance centers later that year, and to Retirement Specialist in 2019.
Areas of responsibility:
- Serves as the district retirement liaison
- Acts as the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) designated agent for USD 259
(316)973-4590
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Terry Fields
Benefits & Budget Assistant
Terry Fields graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. She comes from a background in Property/Casualty and Life insurance. She began her career with the Wichita Public School District in 2006 and has held multiple jobs within the district leading to her current role as the Benefits & Budget Assistant. She is a past Apple Award recipient.
Areas of responsibility:
- District life insurance & supplemental life insurance
- New hire benefits enrollment
- Annual open enrollment
- Budget tracking assistance for department
(316)973-4522
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Gina Wiedemann
Benefit Analyst
Gina Wiedemann, PHR/SHRM-CP graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration. She joined Wichita Public Schools in 2011 after serving prior HR roles with the University of Notre Dame and Wichita State University. She is a two-time Apple Award winner.
Areas of responsibility:
- Administration of Employee Health Plan (medical, dental, vision, pharmacy benefits)
- Administration of Retiree Health Plan
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Annual open enrollment
- Strategic Business Partner
(316)973-4564
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Douglas Mumma
Risk Compliance Analyst
Douglas Mumma started working for Wichita Public Schools as he finished his Bachelor of Business Administration with a focus on finance. Since graduating from Wichita State University in 2018, Douglas has spent most of his career working in analytical and accounting roles. In 2021, he joined the Employee Benefits & Insurance Management department taking over the Risk Compliance Analyst position. Douglas now assists Wichita Public Schools manage property and bodily injury claims, mitigate risk in operations and procedures, as well as supporting the Workers' Compensation area.
Areas of responsibility:
- Property & Casualty Insurance Claims related to damage to district property and buildings
- Risk Analysis
- Bodily Injury Claims for Students & Members of Public
(316)973-4566
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Boni Burkhart
Supervisor of Employee Health, Wellness & Disability Programs
Boni Burkhart began her career with the district in 2011 after spending 12 years in education working for a small district in Elizabeth, Colorado. During her tenure in Human Resources, she has held several positions: Administrative Assistant, HRIS Records Tech, Assistant to CHRO, Recruiter, Manager of Guest Staff Services and her current role as Supervisor of Employee Health, Wellness and Disability Programs. This allowed Boni to develop a passion for all things HR and a broad understanding of district policies and procedures. Boni has an Associate’s degree from Mesa Community College and has upheld both SHRM-CP and PHR certifications since 2015. She also recently obtained her Workers' Compensation Specialist designation. She is a past Apple Award recipient.
Areas of responsibility:
- Supervising Workers' Compensation, FMLA and Medical Leave Programs
- Managing mandatory referrals to, and promotion of, ComPsych EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
- Administration of Catastrophic Leave Pool and benefit applications
(316)973-4737
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Danielle Dettmer
Manager of Employee Benefits & Insurance Management
Danielle Dettmer graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Truman State University in Kirksville, MO. A career in disability claims management followed for the next 18 years in both the government and private sector in the St. Louis area, including several leadership positions, adjudication of Social Security disability claims, vocational and medical records analysis, completion of legal briefs, and argument of cases as an advocate in a court setting. Danielle relocated to Wichita in 2016 and joined the district as the Supervisor of Employee Health, Wellness & Disability Programs through 2020 at which time she was promoted to her current position. She holds a SHRM (Society of HR Management) certification and carries the designation of a CLMS (Certified Leave Management Specialist). She is a past Apple Award recipient.
Areas of responsibility:
- Facilitating strategic goals that bring competitive and diverse benefit choices to USD 259 employees
- Developing communications and educational resources for employees to help them become independent consumers of their own benefits
- Overseeing multiple benefit specialty areas for the district and managing a team of subject matter experts
- Aligning benefit offerings with district mission and vision
(316)973-4561
Phone:
Email:
Degrees and Certifications:
Hootie the Owl
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS MASCOT
Hootie was introduced in 2022 as a mascot for Employee Benefits as we searched for a recognizable image that would be able to share our benefits in a fun and unique way. Hootie is a wise owl who wants you to also be wise about how to use your benefits to their utmost potential and not leave any unused benefits (or money!) on the table. You will continue to see Hootie in our publications with tips to help you!
Areas of responsibility:
- Help employees become independent consumers of their own benefits
- Guide employees on how to maximize usage of benefits and minimize financial impact
- Educate employees on where to find and how to access the benefits information needed to make their work and personal lives better
(316)973-4581
