Washington County school foundation reports about $390,000 in teacher grants, outlines counselor closet and teen-center funding

The Washington County School District foundation reported at a June 9 board working session that it awarded about $390,000 in teacher grants this school year and is directing a large share of funds to literacy programs.

The foundation representative, who provided materials to board members, said the grants totaled about $390,000 and amounted to roughly 660 grants across the district. "If you combine the top 2 — literacy and support and books — you have $163,000," the speaker said, describing literacy and classroom book purchases as a substantial portion of the awards. The presentation broke down grants by school and program area; Desert Canyon Elementary led the elementary schools with 35 grants totaling about $26,000, and Hurricane Intermediate recorded 21 grants, the presentation showed.

The foundation also described its overall assets and spending. "There’s some money that is donated directly to projects at schools that we don't really control ... I believe that amount is somewhere north of $2,000,000," the presenter said. Of the funds the foundation controls, the speaker said the board typically gives away nearly all each year and retains a modest reserve (about $80,000 in the speaker's example), producing roughly a half-million dollars available annually for grants and programs.

Board members and staff also discussed foundation-supported student services. The foundation said it seeded a "counselor closet" with a $10,000 donation about two years ago; supplies donated and purchased are used by school counselors to provide clothing, shoes and necessities to students in need. The foundation representative said the closet now has roughly $100,000 in reserves and on-site supplies and is used to purchase items when donated supplies run short.

Officials said the foundation also supports teen centers and that those centers are currently "self-sufficient." The foundation highlighted donor engagement and examples of fundraising: the Dixie Power Kite Festival has long been a major fundraiser, the presenter said, and the organization recently secured a new golf-tournament title sponsor, Mullen Injury Law, which gave $15,000 as an early contribution.

Board members asked for clarifications about minimum donation levels and how businesses can support classrooms. The foundation said teachers may apply for small grants (the presenter noted teacher awards as small as $69) and that the foundation encourages community and business donations of a few hundred dollars to sponsor classrooms.

The foundation presentation included copies of thank-you notes from principals and a school-by-school grant breakdown that the speaker said helps the foundation track where funds are going and which principals actively promote grant applications.

Looking forward, the foundation reported plans for a golf tournament late in September and said many donors participate by visiting classrooms to see the impact of grants.

The presentation concluded with an invitation from the foundation to board members to review the distributed materials and contact foundation staff with questions.