In a recent Birdville Independent School District (BISD) board meeting, the atmosphere was charged with appreciation and forward-thinking initiatives as members gathered to discuss the district's progress and future plans. The meeting, held on September 25, 2025, highlighted the significant contributions of the Birdville Education Foundation and the ongoing commitment to enhancing educational excellence within the district.

Sharon Milius, president of the Birdville Education Foundation, took center stage to deliver an inspiring update on the foundation's efforts. She emphasized the foundation's mission to support innovative learning and educational excellence, revealing that since its inception in 2001, it has provided over $2.4 million directly to educators and students. This year alone, the foundation awarded more than $150,000 in grants, with a notable increase in individual grant amounts to $5,000 and campus department grants to $10,000.

Milius shared the foundation's recent changes aimed at simplifying the grant application process, which had previously been a cumbersome ten-page document. The new one-page application was designed to ease the burden on teachers, although initial responses were lower than expected. However, after a concerted effort to promote the new process, including a video presentation at the district's convocation, the foundation received a robust 52 grant applications totaling $269,000.

Among the standout projects funded this year were robotics supplies for the Career and Technical Education (CTE) division and a heartfelt grant for a middle school teacher who independently ran an after-school reading program. Milius expressed her pride in the educators within the district, highlighting their dedication and the positive impact of their initiatives on students.

In a significant new partnership, the foundation announced a collaboration with the Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation to implement a suicide awareness and prevention program called Peer Helpers Plus. This initiative aims to provide peer-to-peer counseling and support across all elementary schools, with hopes of expanding to middle and high schools in the future.

The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from the BISD board members, who expressed their desire to contribute 100% to the foundation's efforts, reinforcing the collaborative spirit that drives the district's mission to foster a supportive and innovative educational environment.

As the board moved on to discuss performance data and district goals, the focus remained clear: a united effort to enhance the educational landscape for all students in Birdville ISD. The meeting served as a reminder of the vital role that community support and dedicated educators play in shaping the future of the district's youth.