Wichita Public Schools Foundation and centralized multilingual enrollment highlighted at board meeting

The Wichita Public Schools Foundation told the Board of Education on July 20 that its first full fiscal year raised more than $1,000,000, supported classroom grants and expanded programs that provide immediate student supports.

Greer, representing the foundation, said staff donations and business sponsorships helped the effort: 368 employees gave through payroll deduction and 92 businesses contributed; the foundation invested about $614,000 into district programs, supported 28 classroom grants totaling about $23,000 and launched or expanded programs such as Tommy’s Time and Love Schools. Greer cited examples of direct help — including meal and utility assistance and a surprise $10,000 check presented to each school.

In a separate presentation, Maria Curry, multilingual communication supervisor, reported that the district’s centralized multilingual enrollment initiative enrolled 1,567 students this summer and expanded language supports beyond Spanish for the first time, offering assistance in eight languages. She said 118 of those students speak a language other than English or Spanish, with Swahili (52) and Arabic (30) the most common non-Spanish languages served this year.

Board members and administration praised volunteers and community partners including Wichita State University, International Rescue Committee, United Way and other community organizations that supported enrollment events and foundation programs. The presentations emphasized both fundraising results and operational outreach as ways the district connects resources to students’ and families’ needs.