During the summer months, there is a lot to be thankful for: warm weather, Independence Day, wildflowers, high-river flows and county fairs – the list goes on and on.
The Durango School District 9-R Board of Education can’t help but be thankful this summer for what our colleagues from the Durango Education Foundation do on an annual basis to promote innovation, achievement and excellence throughout the Durango School District 9-R educational system. Most recently, DEF recently raised over $200,000 for the district, which includes more than $116,000 from the Community Action for Education campaign. These funds will be thoughtfully and equitable distributed to all 9-R schools and will have an immediate impact on the 2014-2015 academic year programming efforts. We can’t thank DEF enough for its support, community engagement and leadership.
As background, DEF is a 501(c)3 charity that has served 9-R schools since 1984. While it is the only nonprofit entity solely raising funds for all 9-R schools, the foundation also works collaboratively with many community organizations to bring effective, exciting programs into the schools.
DEF comprises compassionate and dedicated community members who care deeply about our students and their educational opportunities. DEF’s executive director, Elizabeth Testa, and board members Robert Dawes, Jean Thweatt, Margie Sittner, Mary Stengel, Matt Aupperle, Joann Hards, Pat Murphy, Ryan Phelps, Jerry Poer, Brady Rowland, Gretchen Wilson and Holly Zink did a fantastic job in organizing the C.A.F.É. fundraiser event in April. The DEF board members, along with all DEF volunteers and patrons, should be commended for their unwavering dedication to 9-R teachers and staff.
Programs that DEF has supported this last academic year include supporting the DHS robotics program, the boys’ transitional conference, the DHS Aerospace team’s recent world competition as well as the critical and necessary day-to-day materials needed in our schools, including library materials, classroom materials, smartboards and much more. The Escalante Common Read program was funded by the foundation the past couple of years, as are the new teaching cameras in the DHS photography department. The list of support can go on.
On behalf of the Durango School District 9-R, we wanted to share our gratitude for DEF’s unwavering dedication to improve the educational opportunities for our students. We are also equally thankful to the community for your incredible support of our schools as demonstrated in your generous donations to the C.A.F.É. campaign this year, as well as your ongoing support for DEF fundraising efforts throughout the years. The board thoroughly appreciates the support and generosity from our community.
The next time you drive by one of our schools, make sure to think about the impact the Durango Education Foundation has had, and will continue to have, on the quality of the 9-R educational system and join us in thanking them for making such a huge difference for our students and our community.
The Durango School District 9-R Board of Education is Andy Burns, president; Kim Martin, vice president; Stephanie Moran, secretary; Mick Souder, treasurer; Nancy Stubbs, Greg Spradling, Brieanne Stahnke and Sobei Hamlin.
