Angela Jenkins, Office of Communications                                                                       July 13, 2006

(903) 262-1064                                                                                                                        For Immediate Release

News Release

Tyler Independent School District Foundation Paves Way for Restructuring

            Summertime means anything but vacation time for the members of the Tyler Independent School District Foundation.  The sixteen year old non-profit organization is currently undergoing a major restructuring effort. 

The Foundation was created in 1990 with the sole purpose of being the philanthropic division for the school district. 

“More and more school districts are finding that seeking private donations to support its mission is a vital part of effective educational management,” said Larry Goddard, Executive Director.  “We know that private dollars can assist the teachers and staff in their daily work of educating our community’s youth.” 

The staff of the Foundation, assisted by Foundation Development Consultants of Colorado, has taken measures to effectively redirect the Foundation so that even more charitable contributions can be solicited to benefit the school district.  

“It is admirable that people in Tyler created this public school foundation years ago to be the steward for donations to public schools.  More and more school districts are just now beginning to create their own Foundations,”  Goddard said.  Goddard was named Executive Director in April and has more than 15 years’ experience in higher education fund-raising, marketing, and public relations. 

Some of the changes in the Foundation have been revised bylaws, a new mission statement and goals, changes in board meetings, size of the board’s membership, and streamlined office procedures.  The Foundation Board has eliminated its Advisory Board and will operate under a larger, single Board.  There will be more emphasis on fund-raising and less on policy-making.   

The Foundation is working on creating an Alumni Association for all former students of Tyler public schools.  Interested individuals can register on line as alumni of any school in Tyler ISD at www.tylerisd.org  

Referring to the reorganization of the Foundation Board, current President Tab Beall noted, “We want to pursue innovative projects for the benefit of Tyler ISD and not fall into a pattern of ‘doing what we did last year’.  To that end, our commitment to excellence in education requires that we regularly examine our goals, our focus and our accomplishments.  Meeting those goals requires fresh and new ideas along with a renewed commitment to serve our ultimate beneficiaries:  the school children and teachers of Tyler ISD.”

Beall is a Partner with Perdue, Brandon, Fielder, Collins & Mott Attorneys, Tyler, and has been a volunteer for the Tyler ISD Foundation for several years.  He is a 1974 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School. 

“The biggest change will be that the Directors of our Board will take on more fund-raising responsibilities,” said Goddard.  “In order to provide more assistance to deserving teachers and students, we need to create a higher level of community awareness and contributions.  We are fortunate to have the endorsement and support of the school district’s superintendent and the administrative staff and teachers of Tyler ISD.  Their dedication to students is admired and appreciated by all of us associated with the Foundation.” 

The Foundation Board creates a balance budget of expected donations and expected disbursements, with the largest number of disbursements being granted to teacher incentive grants, parent involvement grants, teacher’s professional development grants, and family literacy grants.  Grants are submitted by teachers at all levels and disciplines in a competitive grant-writing process, with the actual awards being decided by a committee of Foundation Board Directors. 

Board President Tab Beall is completing his third year as President and will continue to serve as a board Director in September.  “I believe in our public schools, and the opportunities they have to shape our children’s lives,” said Beall.  The TISD Foundation provides a way for the community to participate in the growth and future success of the Tyler ISD, to give you a sense of civic pride, and to have an impact in the lives of 18,000 students.” 

This fall, the Foundation will kick off an ambitious community campaign, with the proceeds to benefit Tyler’s public school students, teachers and families. 

The Foundation’s offices are located in the Tyler Independent School District Administration Building, 1319 New Sunnybrook, Tyler, Texas and can be reached at (903) 262-1144.

###

NOTE: For more information contact the TISD Foundation at 903-262-1144.