Kalispell Education Foundation hires new director

The Kalispell Education Foundation has been revamped and a new executive director hired to take the lead on broadening the nonprofit’s reach.

The part-time position has been filled by Kalispell Education Foundation board member and Flathead High School 2002 graduate Dorothy Drury, who officially took on the role in December. She has served on the board for two years and brings with her experience working for a publishing house.

“Our mission statement is pretty simple,” Drury said. “We believe deeply in the power of education. Our community is strong when our schools are strong and we hope to have a positive impact on our community by making a difference in our schools.”

The foundation has been without an executive director for the past few years. Previously, the executive director position was held by someone who split their time between the foundation and Kalispell Public Schools in a media communications role. The district cut the communications position in 2018.

“Our goal in hiring an executive director is part of our strategic plan and long-term goals,” board president Jessica Hanson said.

The foundation’s primary project is raising money for its Great Opportunities grant program, which benefits teachers and students in Kalispell Public Schools.

Through the program, teachers are able to apply for grants to fund unique, innovative, or beneficial projects, activities, supplies, or programs that otherwise would not be possible through classroom budget constraints. Typically grants are awarded in amounts up to $2,000.

“We consistently receive more applications than we’re able to fund,” Drury said.

Drury and Hanson agreed that one of the long-term goals is to reach a point where the foundation can fully fund all the grant applications it receives each school year. Drury said it’s not unusual for the foundation to receive between 20 to 25 applications in a grant cycle.

“In the past, we’ve only had the capability to fund maybe half of those and have to turn down many of which are great applications; we just don’t have the funding to commit to it,” Drury said.

Drury said the minimum fundraising goal the foundation wants to hit this year for the grant program is $20,000.

“We have funding needs beyond that, but that’s a tangible goal,” Drury said, understanding it’s an unusual year due to the coronavirus pandemic. “I think there are many generous community members out there and teachers need our help now more than ever.”

Something new the foundation did this school year was involving donors in the grant-awarding process. Donors who contributed $2,000 were given the chance to review applications and list their preferences on which projects to sponsor.

“It’s not guaranteed, but it’s something we piloted this year,” Drury said.

In the past, members of the business community also have supported projects through different ways such as materials or time.

THE FOUNDATION wants to branch out on fundraising goals and ways people can donate to benefit education.

“As we look to the future and other education foundations around the country, there are many ways for education foundations to help schools,” Drury said, noting that the KEF will collaborate with Kalispell Public Schools on how to meet different needs.

“We would just like to dream bigger,” she said. “What we do is really important.”

In the most recent grant cycle, the KEF awarded six grants to Glacier High School, Kalispell Middle School and Peterson Elementary School. They are as follows:

— Project: Building a multifunctional stream table to demonstrate erosion and deposition using real-life scenarios that students may have seen in their environments.

Grant amount: $918

Applicant: Kalispell Middle School sixth-grade science teacher Jakeb Wilson.

— Project: Participating in the NASA GLOBE (Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment) program. Students will engage in the scientific process and collect local atmospheric, water quality, and biometric data to complete original research projects to present at regional, national and international science symposiums. Grant amount: $2,114

Applicant: Kalispell Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade life science teacher Annie Gustafson.

— Project: Life skills and resource students will be taught real-world and employable skills by participating in the “Brewing a Bright Future.” An espresso machine and grinder will be purchased that students will operate at the current high school coffee stand. Students will learn math skills by collecting money and making change; interpersonal skills such as eye contact and communication and technical skills by operating the espresso machine.

Grant amount: $1,999.

Applicant: Glacier High School special education teachers Jenny Griswold and Chris Cusker.

— Project: Continuing the Ascent program, a course that addresses adolescent struggles by focusing on growth and maturity through daily instructional time, one-on-one, family engagement, academic support, experiential learning and community involvement.

Grant amount: $2,000

Applicants: Glacier High School, Ascent instructor Nicholas Ferronato, Ascent director Sandy Lorenc, assistant principal Lance Labrum and counselor Chris Weaks.

— Project: “Algae Alive!” will involve students designing experiments with algae balls and self-sustaining algae ecosystems. These inquiry-based lab experiences may be done in the classroom, or at home if a student is learning remotely.

Grant amount: $1,098

Applicant: Glacier High School biology teacher David Lillard

— Project: “Cameras Capture Student Voices,” will provide third- through fifth-graders with digital cameras to do photography and videos. Students will be responsible for taking yearbook and newsletter photos in addition to filming weekly news videos.

Grant amount: $1,856

Applicant: Peterson Elementary technology teacher Carrie Smith.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.