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Kiski Area Education Foundation outlines grants, scholarships and a $15,000 donation to a wrestling initiative
Summary
At a Kiski Area SD board meeting, Kiski Area Education Foundation president Cassie Heinely and vice president Dr. John Meehan described recent bylaw changes, safeguards for foundation finances, $9,696 in teacher grants, $6,000 in student scholarships and a $15,000 foundation donation to the Chuck Turski wrestling initiative.
Cassie Heinely, president of the Kiski Area Education Foundation, told the Kiski Area SD board that the foundation has tightened bylaws and aims to operate transparently while remaining a private 501(c)(3).
Heinely said the foundation holds six meetings a year, with two (January and July) open to the public, and that it provides a bimonthly financial report prepared by its treasurer. She noted that, as a private nonprofit, the foundation is not required to publish all internal financial records but must make its IRS Form 990 available on request.
The foundation reported funding eight teacher innovation grants totaling $9,696 and awarding $6,000 in student scholarships this year, figures Heinely and Dr. John Meehan presented to the board. Together those foundation-funded awards total about $15,696 in direct grants and scholarships.
Heinely told the board the foundation approved a $15,000 donation to support the Chuck Turski wrestling initiative. She said the wrestling group first requested $30,000 in September, returned with additional fundraising and information, and that the foundation’s vote to support the group passed unanimously.
Dr. John Meehan, identified in the meeting as a founding member of the foundation and a past superintendent, outlined the foundation’s origins and governance: the superintendent and business manager have standing seats on the foundation board, and the foundation focuses on scholarships, teacher grants and project support. Meehan described past fundraising that paid for district projects such as a marquee and said most large project gifts have come from corporate or community donors rather than teacher contributions.
In response to audience questions, Heinely said donors can specify whether a gift goes to student scholarships, teacher grants, the general fund or student activities, and that the foundation plans to adopt a donor-management system to better track designations.
Board members thanked the presenters and suggested the district highlight foundation activities on the Kiski Area SD website and social media. The presentation concluded and the meeting moved on to public comment and regular agenda items.
