Chisholm Trail Education Foundation launches 'Learning to Love to Read' with book‑vending pilot at Baylor Elementary

Bonnie Barksdale, president of the Chisholm Trail Education Foundation, told the Crowley ISD board Wednesday the foundation will launch a districtwide literacy initiative called Learning to Love to Read aimed at putting a book in every household in the district.

“We want every child in Crowley ISD to have a book that is in their house that they call their own,” Barksdale said. The foundation plans to begin the program at the April 12 pre‑K and kindergarten roundup with a distribution point where each child who attends will receive a book; volunteers will read with children and caregivers at the event, she said.

The foundation will pilot a book‑vending machine at Baylor Elementary. Barksdale described the vending machine as a token‑based system: students earn tokens through school incentives and redeem them for age‑appropriate books. The foundation is partnering with Scholastic for book purchases and said it intends to buy new, curated titles — rather than rely primarily on unsolicited donations — so materials can be vetted under district policy.

Barksdale said the initiative will also support the district’s Battle of the Books program by allowing participants to take books home, and the foundation plans a summer reading challenge and to explore bringing age‑appropriate authors to campuses.

Trustees asked about operations and partnerships. Trustee Latanya Woodson Mayfield asked whether the foundation would accept donations; Barksdale said the foundation plans to purchase books through Scholastic and that donated books would require review to ensure alignment with board policy. Trustee Kalisha Stevenson asked how selection and age appropriateness would be handled; Barksdale said library professionals or designated campus staff would guide student selections, and the foundation will work with principals to tailor operations at each campus.

Secretary Nedra Robinson suggested partnering with the Crowley Public Library and local businesses for summer incentives; Barksdale said the foundation has contacts at the public library and will explore business partnerships for rewards.

The foundation did not request board action at the meeting; trustees and foundation leaders encouraged volunteers for the April 12 event.