Public commenters praise foundation’s student support, cite more than $1 million in innovation grants

At a recent meeting, two public commenters praised Denise, a leader at the local education foundation, saying the group has expanded basic-student supports and donated more than $1 million in teacher innovation grants.

Commenter 1, a public commenter, said the foundation’s work centers on student needs and supporting teachers. "Denise is a unique, leader and the way that she handles the foundation and the way that she not only interacts with the district, but the way that she interacts with the community is really special. She has never forgotten the mission of the foundation, which is to enhance the educational experience of the students and also in in helping the teachers. And the way that she interacts, she always keeps the mission of the foundation on the top of all of the things that she does."

Commenter 2, a public commenter, said special education is personally important and cited the foundation’s support for Unified Sports Now: "Special education does have a special place in my heart. I have a niece who is special needs, and I've just always loved the kids and the work that our teachers do with the special education students. And that kinda leads me into working with our Unified Sports Now. It's, great to be able to give back to that population."

The first commenter highlighted the foundation’s Resource Closet and the scale of its grantmaking: "I will never forget some of the words that Denise commonly says that unless the basic needs of the student are taken care of first, you can't take care of their other educational needs. That is a neat thing to see how the Resource Closet has grown and built to where we're able to take care of those basic needs. And she remembers that, which then has allowed us to to continue to grow the other things, the innovation grants. I I think of the over a million dollars that Denise has been a part of in donating innovation grants to the teachers."

The commenters described the emotional reward of fundraising and distributing grants. "What keeps me motivated is the big checks. Getting the big checks and giving away the big checks. So I have joked about not being able to take a picture without a big cardboard check-in front of me. But when you get that reward of a partner donating, for the needs in the district, that's so rewarding. And then turning that money around, giving that to a student, giving it to our teachers for innovation in the classroom or a teacher award, it is just 1 of the best feelings in the world," Commenter 2 said.

The transcript provided public comment excerpts only; it does not record any formal action, vote, or staff response to these remarks.