March 20, 2008

Press Release

I Love Tyler ISD Campaign Raises More than $385,000

The Tyler ISD Foundation announced today that it has concluded its annual fund campaign with a record setting amount raised in support of Tyler ISD.  More than $385,000 was raised over a four month period, according to Larry Goddard, Executive Director of the Tyler ISD Foundation.

“This is a result of our dedicated volunteers and the generous donors in our community who believe in the power of education,” said Goddard.  “The more money we raise, the more financial support we can provide the district’s teachers and students.”

“The campaign last year raised $165,314, which was a record amount, so this year’s total represents an increase of 133% of the amount contributed last year,” stated Ross Conner, Foundation Vice President-Development and this year’s campaign chairperson.  “We more than doubled the dollars raised last year and the total is more than 10 times the amount of the 2005-2006 campaign.”

“We have seen the Foundation grow tremendously with the collaboration of Tyler ISD and the local community,” said Mike Thomas, Tyler ISD Foundation.  “We appreciate the generous support of our many donors and patrons in Tyler and look forward to continuing our success as strong supporters of Tyler ISD.”

The campaign results include designated gifts to various campuses and programs within the district, areas of greatest need as determined by the board of directors, grants to teachers and campuses, and the events of the district such as Convocation, Teacher of the Year, “A Night of Shining Stars” academic recognition event, and the support of various student and teacher success programs.

The Foundation was created in 1990 to support the Tyler Independent School District. Currently, thirty members serve on the board including: 

President Mike Thomas, CPA; Vice President-Development Ross Conner, Conner Communities; Vice President-Governance Dawn Franks, Fourth Partner Foundation; Secretary Lynette Birdsong, Birdsong and Armstrong, P.C.; Treasurer Larry Bolton, Austin Bank; Director at Large Kathey Comer, Tyler Area Builders Association;  Director at Large Tom Slack, HealthFirst TPA; Directors: Armstrong, Blake (Birdsong and Armstrong, P.C.);Beall, Tab (Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott, LLP); Berman, Dr. Lou Ann (University of Texas at Tyler); Bower, Betty (Retired educator/community volunteer); Coates, Bill (Gleiser Communications, LLC); Davidson, Jack (Life Loyal Member; Retired TISD Superintendent); Fisher, Paul (TRANE); Gross, Dr. Gary (Blood and Cancer Center of East Texas); Harrison, Catherine (Community and campus volunteer); Howell, Gary (Hibbs Hallmark and Company); Hunsley, Doug (TRANE); Hurley, Phil (CBS 19); Jacobi, Sarah (Community and school volunteer);Jones, Chris (East Texas Professional Credit Union); Lavender, Micheal (Capital One Bank, Tyler); McDaniel, Mark (City of Tyler);Reedy, Felicity (The Genecov Group);Reid, Dr. Randy (Tyler ISD); Seeber, Kristen (Community volunteer); Smith, Mary Lynn (Community volunteer);Uzzell, Lonny (Southside Bank); Vickery, Ron (Ramey & Flock, P.C.); Wallace, Ed (Real estate management/community volunteer).

Donations to support Tyler ISD Foundation may be made by sending contributions to P.O. Box 2035, Tyler, Texas 75710 or by calling (903) 262-1144; email foundation@tylerisd.org. 

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