January 14, 2008

TISD Foundation Continues District Support

The Tyler ISD Foundation Board of Directors continues to provide support for district-wide programs, ranging from playground equipment to emerging technologies.

Three major programs have received grants totaling $80,000 from the Foundation recently, according to Larry Goddard, Executive Director.

The Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program for grades 6-12 that prepares students in the academic middle for colleges and universities received a $35,000 grant.  The program is geared towards student success and has six active campuses and two expansion campuses.

The Foundation also awarded $35,000 for purchase of emerging technologies through the use of ‘electronic blackboards’ in science classrooms.

A third grant of $10,000 was awarded for a program which checks the background of campus visitors to ensure child safety.

“We are very fortunate as a school District to have the efforts of the Tyler ISD Foundation work for our behalf,” said Tyler ISD Superintendent Randy Reid.  “We as a District from the central office to the various campuses benefit from their hard work and effort.”

In addition to the district-wide grants, the Tyler ISD Foundation will place an additional amount of $60,000 in classroom and campus grants through its grant proposal program.  This competitive grant proposal process has been in place since the Foundation began 17 years ago.  Teachers, teams of teachers, or campus submit proposals for innovative projects that they would like to pursue. 

“More than $500,000 has been awarded to classroom teachers from the Tyler ISD Foundation since its inception in 1990,” Goddard explained. 

The Foundation has also received a matching grant for playground equipment at three Tyler ISD campuses for a total of $45,000. 

“Our mission as a Foundation is to provide resources for the district’s success and we are honored that our donors have that same belief,” said Mike Thomas, CPA, and president of the Tyler ISD Foundation.  “We asked the district administration for priorities that needed funding.  Our grants committee analyzed the proposals and made significant recommendations.”

Currently, the Tyler ISD Foundation is conducting its annual fund campaign entitled, “I Love Tyler ISD Campaign”.  The donations from this effort are used to fund the areas of greatest needs as determined by the Foundation Board of Directors.

The Tyler ISD Board of Directors include:  Thomas, president; Ross Connor, vice President-Development; Dawn Franks, Vice President-Governance; Larry Bolton, Treasurer; Lynette Birdsong, secretary; Blake Armstrong, Tab Beall, Lou Ann Berman, Betty Bower, Bill Coates, Kathey Comer, Jack Davidson, Paul Fisher, Gary Gross, Catherine Harrison, Gary Howell, Doug Hunsley, Phil Hurley, Sarah Jacobi, Chris Jones, Micheal Lavender, Mark McDaniel, Felicity Reedy, Randy Reid, Kristen Seeber, Tom Slack, Mary Lynn Smith, Lonny Uzzell, Ron Vickery, Ed Wallace.

Tyler ISD Foundation Board of Directors 2007-2008

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