| Three Foundation Programs to be Recognized for Outstanding Achievement |
 Three public school foundation programs have been selected as recipients of the 2009 Outstanding Program Awards for Local Education Foundations sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. The awards, which recognize innovative programs sponsored or administered by public school foundations in Oklahoma, will be presented at the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Annual Meeting in September. Receiving plaques and monetary awards of $1,000 each will be the Rockin' Boppin' Concert Series sponsored by the Kingfisher Educational Foundation, the Sophomore Challenge Scholarship Program sponsored by the Okemah Public School Foundation and the Teachers Warehouse sponsored by the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools. |
| Regional Meetings Offered for LEF Leaders |
In response to suggestions from local education foundation (LEF) leaders, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence LEF Outreach Program is taking its training and networking sessions on the road this fall. LEF Outreach and Fall Forum committees decided to offer regional meetings this year in lieu of the annual Fall Forum for Local Education Foundations. The free regional meetings will provide quality training and networking opportunities for LEF volunteers, without having to travel long distances or miss a full day's work, said Karen Rose, director of LEF Outreach. Click here to find out more. |
Spiro School Foundation for Excellence Honors Four Influential Teachers
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 Each spring the Spiro School Foundation for Excellence in Education recognizes top seniors as Academic All-Stars and honors educators with the Polaris Award. The graduating All-Stars select a teacher from the lower and upper elementary schools, middle school and high school. The teachers are selected based on their influence on the senior academic students throughout elementary, middle and high school. The 2009 recipients of the Polaris Award are (left to right) David Hogan, Paula Rogers, Leigh Sanders and Don Barnes. |
| Foundations Support Academic All-Staters |
 A record number of six public school foundations helped support the 2009 Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Academic Awards Program by sponsoring Academic All-State Scholarships for students from their communities. The Clinton Public School Foundation, Idabel Foundation for Academic Excellence, Perry Education Foundation, Purcell Public School Foundation, Sand Springs Education Foundation and the Weatherford Public Schools Foundation each sponsored scholarships for local high school seniors.
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Social Networking Builds Relationships
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 Every public school foundation is trying to find new ways to encourage greater involvement from its school community. How do you generate more excitement about your latest golf tournament or raffle? In addition to a helpful plug in your local newspaper, how do strengthen your presence in the minds of your supporters? Do you distribute flyers to students who may or may not remember to give them to their parents? Do you send e-mails to community members who may or may not take time to read them?
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| Legislation Impacts School Foundations |
House Bill No. 2935 was amended to allow school districts to provide space "in a school district building or on school district property to the foundation for office or business purposes in exchange for the financial benefits provided to the district by the foundation." The arrangement must be approved by the school board and recorded in the minutes of the school board meeting.
In addition, Senate Bill No. 1956 provides a sales tax exemption for sales of tangible personal property made before July 1, 2014, by or to nonprofit local public or private school foundations which solicit money or property in the name of any public or private school or public school district. This exemption became effective July 1, 2009.
Foundations are encouraged to consult with their attorneys and financial officers for advice on how these statutes will affect their organization.
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| CONTACT US |
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Dr. Karen Rose
Director of LEF Outreach
Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence
120 N. Robinson, Suite 1420-W
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(918) 743-5533
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| Director's Thoughts |
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Karen Rose, Director of LEF Outreach |
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Oklahoma Leads Nation in LEF Support
The number of local education foundations across our state continues to grow. Currently, we have 218 in our database. I'm pleased to write that Oklahoma is considered a leader in the support and development of LEFs! I get calls from people in other states who not only have questions about how to develop an LEF, but also to express how impressed they are with our Web site and the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Click here to find out more. |
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