January 16, 2009

News Release

“We Believe in Tyler ISD” Campaign Yard Signs

To be Seen Across Tyler

With the Tyler ISD Foundation’s “We Believe in Tyler ISD” annual fund campaign at the midway point, yard signs will soon be displayed in the yards of donors to the campaign.  Each year, the Tyler ISD Foundation conducts a campaign by soliciting donations from community individuals, alumni, businesses, and friends of public education.  The Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with public charity status.  The Foundation’s mission is to provide resources to inspire learning, enrich teaching and enhance opportunities for the 18,000+ Tyler ISD students and more than 2,500 employees.  The Foundation was incorporated in 1991.  Over the years, the campaign has raised more than $2 million.  This year, the single year goal is $500,000.

The campaign, which helps support Tyler ISD events, teachers, campuses and programs, will be conducted through February 27^th.  Some of the events funded through the campaign include:  Teacher of the Year banquet, Tyler ISD retiree luncheon, Tyler ISD employee convocation, “A Night Of Shining Stars”—academic and teacher recognition event for both high schools’ top graduates, and the campaign kickoff luncheon which brings outstanding speakers to Tyler.  Other events held by the Foundation include the Great American Opportunities discount card, the Gil Hitt Memorial Golf Tournament, and the teacher/campus/district incentive grant program.  Plans are now underway with the Foundation in collaboration with the District on an alumni directory for all Tyler ISD graduates from any Tyler ISD high school.

This year, donors to the campaign will be identified with yard signs which read, “We Believe in Tyler ISD” and distributed by the Tyler ISD Foundation’s thirty-two board directors.

“Our idea to have the yard signs is for the community to be aware that financial support of Tyler ISD is an integral part of the success of our students, teachers and staff,” said Ross Conner, campaign chair for this year’s fund drive.  “We know that the successes in our classrooms will mean a successful future for our community of Tyler.”

Larry Goddard, Executive Director of the Tyler ISD Foundation stated that the campaign will continue until February 27^th and the announcement of the final totals raised in the campaign will be March 18^th. 

“Anyone can contribute any amount and make a difference,” said Goddard. “We conducted an employee campaign with Tyler ISD employees and raised close to $8,000.  That is an amazing amount considering that so many of our teachers give their own money to help projects in their classroom.  The Foundation has a grant program that helps alleviate that somewhat, but our needs are far greater than what we are able to budget in the grant program.  We believe in our teachers and employees at Tyler ISD and they certainly believe in the students—this campaign lets them know we care about them and want to help them when we can.”

Interested donors may contact the Foundation Office by calling (903) 266-9805 or foundation@suddenlinkmail.com.

Pictured from left: Tab Beall, former Tyler ISD Foundation Board of Directors President; Tracy Phelps, Director of Development, and Larry Goddard, Executive Director, look over the yard signs prior to the distribution to donors to the campaign.

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