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New Dodd family endowment will fund Oak Ridge educator grants, speakers say

Oak Ridge Board of Education · January 29, 2026

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Summary

Oak Ridge Schools and a local education foundation announced the Julie, Herbert and Thelma Dodd Educator Grants Endowment to provide permanent funding for teacher innovation; foundation representatives said the organization has provided more than $1.4 million for educator grants since 2005.

The Oak Ridge Board of Education heard an announcement of a new endowed fund to support educator grants created in honor of Julie, Herbert and Thelma Dodd. Foundation and district representatives described the endowment as permanent support for teacher innovation across Oak Ridge schools.

Julie Dodd addressed the board and recounted her family’s long connection to Oak Ridge Schools and a history of encouraging innovative classroom practices. A foundation representative identified in the transcript as Mr. Mike Taylor, described the endowment’s purpose and said the foundation has provided more than 1,400,000.0 in funding for educator grants since 2005.

The foundation representative said the endowment will not immediately fund 100% of grants but will grow over time to expand the program’s capacity and provide additional grants for instructional projects. The district and foundation recognized former teachers and community members in attendance and invited the public to support the endowment.

Board members and attendees gathered for a brief photo following the announcement. The presentation was informational; no board action to accept or spend endowment funds was recorded during the meeting.