The Hays CISD Education Foundation’s Michelle Coburn talks with Carole Farmer, the Community Relations go-to person for Sac-n-Pac, Inc. at the Foundation’s 2011-2012 Annual Fund Kick-Off Breakfast. Coburn is the Foundation’s Development Committee Chair and Sac-n-Pac, represented by Farmer, is one of the local group’s long-time supporters. (photo by Jim Cullen)
By Jim Cullen
The Hays CISD Education Foundation is rolling out its annual fundraising campaign with hopes of generating money to support classroom projects, teacher training and other initiatives.
At a campaign kickoff breakfast last week, Superintendent Jeremy Lyons credited the foundation with creating and fostering “deliberate, thoughtful and meaningful engagement in the community in supporting teaching and learning.” He also called the group an “exemplary point of pride and indication of a healthy and vibrant school district.”
The foundation is made up of about two dozen businesspeople, parents, school district liaisons and other supporters. Established in 1998, the group has raised more than $1.4 million for initiatives that include thousands of dollars in Innovative Teaching Grants and a recent $15,000 “Think Big Grant” to the science department at Hays High School.
During last Thursday’s breakfast at the district’s Performing Arts Center, Foundation President David Salazar outlined several goals for the group, with a call to simplify its approach, increase its annual commitment and further professionalize its character.
Barton Middle School media teacher Jeremiah Thomas, a repeat winner in the foundation’s Innovative Teaching Grants competition, offered his personal testimonial. He cited the effect that grant money has had on students and included a video produced by his classes with the professional equipment paid for with grant money.
Foundation board member – and 1996 Hays High School graduate – Holly Raymond offered her insight, first, on how well-prepared she had found herself for the nationally-recognized school she entered at the University of Texas. Aside from the rigorous preparation she’d experienced in Hays CISD, Raymond pointed to her desire to “give back” to the community and said that she finds the education foundation the perfect vehicle for that purpose.
HCISD School Board President Patti Wood, while not in attendance at the kickoff breakfast, issued a statement saying, “We think the world of the people who give their time and energy to help our school district. Their work is valued and celebrated!” Wood added her assessment of the district’s good fortune in having such an active education foundation, noting the “generosity of our community” as a source of its success.
In another of its 2011-2012 funding goals, the foundation anticipates offering a funding pool of as much as $10,000 to the district’s educators for professional development.
Hays CISD’s Education Foundation’s major programs and initiatives
Innnovative Teaching Grants
The cornerstone of the Foundation’s efforts to bring frequently underfunded classroom projects to life, the Innovative Teaching Grants program annually provides upwards of $50,000 to Hays CISD campus faculty.
Traditionally, a $5,000 cap is placed on awards, though a recent special initiative delivered a $15,000 “Think Big Grant” to the Science Department at Hays High School. A special initiative anticipated this year is for teachers to apply for mini-grants up to $500 in value.
Linebarger Academic Reception
Held every May, the Dale and Libby Linebarger Academic Reception acknowledges academic achievement for the top 10 percent of the district’s graduating seniors.
As the evening ends, honorees have traditionally been given a gift by the foundation as an investment in the honorees’ future.
Teacher of the Year Recognition
Each of the district’s 22 campuses and the district Special Education Department select an annual “Teacher of the Year.” The foundation coordinates the program and sponsors a spring luncheon at a special site to recognize and applaud the teachers.
In an extension of the event, two of the recognized educators – one from the elementary ranks and one from the secondary level – are named as District Teacher of the Year, those honorees advancing to compete for the same honor in region. Three local teachers, two of them secondary and one elementary, have been recognized as Central Texas Teacher of the Year.
Professional Development Grants
Teachers traditionally enhance and further their education during the summer, but professional development opportunities present themselves throughout the year. Those opportunities frequently carry significant registration and materials costs in addition to possible travel and lodging expenses.
While not funding the latter, the Education Foundation has for a number of years underwritten the registration and fee expenses of local educators.
