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Saturday, March 14, 2009
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Foundation takes next step
Staff Writer For 22 years, the Brainerd Public Schools Foundation has existed nearly under the radar, providing about $20,000 in annual college scholarships for BHS students and giving small grants to teachers to purchase supplementary classroom materials.
But as school funding becomes an even greater concern, the foundation is increasing its role in supporting Brainerd schools with a fresh mission and goals for growth to serve as an alumni association, providing a meaningful connection to the schools for past graduates who care about their former schools.
Thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation, the Brainerd Public Schools Foundation has hired Mike Burton as its executive director and Pat Altrichter as foundation coordinator, both part-time positions.
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Garfield first-grader Hannah Johnson had fun Friday learning about magnets, a hands-on project that was made possible through a challenge grant provided by the Brainerd Public Schools Foundation. Brainerd Dispatch/Jodie Tweed
» Purchase reprints of this photo.
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A citizens' group began meeting in the fall of 2007 after the failure of the school levy referendum to come up with ways to provide educational support for Brainerd students. The group felt it was important to involve the community in providing resources to the district to continue its quality programs and activities and looked for a way to provide that support.
Burton said it seemed the foundation was a logical fit. It had been in existence for 20 years at that time and had a board and non-profit status. While it's connected to the Brainerd School District, that role is small. The foundation has its own budget and relies on grants and endowments made by community members for various scholarships.
The foundation's board has been restructured. No longer do you have to be a BHS graduate to be on the board. Also, while the school superintendent, a school board member and a school administrator attend board meetings, they no longer are voting members. Only community members on the board may vote on how the foundation's funds may be spent, said Burton. The board has been increased to 12 members. Board members are working on a new Web site and the development of a database of BHS alumni to provide them with information about the various happenings in the district.
Warrior Way Inc. and Music Matters, which has raised funds for district athletics and fine arts programs, are under the umbrella of the foundation. While Warrior Way Inc. will continue to raise funds on its own, the foundation's structure is used for investment recognition, record-keeping and donor acknowledgments. Don Ryan, a Warrior Way Inc. supporter, is now on the foundation board.
Burton and Altrichter said the foundation is focusing its support on the "four A's," academics, activities, arts and athletics. Its goal is to sustain the programs that BHS alumni appreciate in the schools for future generations.
While fundraising is a large component of the foundation, Altrichter said it's not just about raising funds. She said people want to stay connected and learn what's going on in the schools. The foundation is structured so it can become a service provider and investment manager for other organizations in the community that wish to support students or individual programs. For example, the foundation will help with marketing, planning and fundraising assistance so those groups can focus on that activity or program.
While Burton acknowledged that it may be tough to raise funds in this tough economy, it's not an easy task for other area non-profits either.
"We're all facing challenges but we also see people who are doing OK in these tough times and step up and help," said Burton.
In addition to awarding scholarships, the foundation has provided about $3,500 annually for small grants for teachers to supplement their classroom materials. This is also an area where Burton and Altrichter would like to see growth.
Some of the programs that these grants have helped fund this year include:
Cynthia Askerooth-Olson, a Garfield first-grade teacher, wrote a proposal to fund supplemental science reading materials and related hands-on activities for science.
Nisswa Elementary School is establishing a sensory integration classroom area to help students with autism, ADHD and other sensory needs.
Riverside music instructor Lauren Nickisch and physical education teachers Jeff Ramey and Jean Martin, along with the Brainerd Family YMCA, developed "Drums Alive: Kids Beat," a music/exercise program that engages students through the integration of aerobics, dance, rhythm, imagination and supports the use of both the right and left sides of the brain.
Current board members include: Tom Anderson, president; Mike Doran, vice president; Pam Thomsen, secretary/treasurer; Rick Kummet; Lisa Lake-Moores; Howard "Jiggs" Blanck; Pam O'Rourke; Kevin Thesing; Don Ryan and John Raboin. Ex-officio members include Brainerd School Board member Bob Nystrom, Superintendent Steve Razidlo, Altrichter and Burton.
For more information about the foundation or to make a contribution, contact Burton at mburton@communitygiving.org or at (218) 820-2658.
JODIE TWEED may be reached at jodie.tweed@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5858.
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