News

NEW ERA HATS A HIT AT COTR

Demopoliswas sorry to see New Era Cap Company close its doors in Demopolis, but the company left a wealth of caps behind for use by the Demopolis City Schools Foundation.

For the first time, the Foundation sponsored a booth for the Fair in the Square at Christmas on the River.  It became arguably the most popular booth at the event.  After all the caps were sold, the Foundation realized $3,245.

Regretably there are no more hats available, but the Foundation will continue to look for unique ways to help support its mission.

2010 DONORS HONORED

Members of the Demopolis City Schools Foundation received recognition for their generosity and support at the 15th annual Appreciation Celebration Thursday, July 22, in the Demopolis Civic Center.

Those who attended also were brought up to date on the Foundation's activities during the year and given previews of upcoming events.

Special recognition was given contributors who reached the level of Chair, Executive, Patron and Partner. In addition, Luke Lindsay, son of Beth and Austin Lindsay, was honored for his art work being chosen for the Patron plaques.

Vice president Kim Townsend, in his review of the year, said the Foundation had bucked the trend of many non-profits by actually showing an increase in unrestricted donations. Members contributed 5.5 percent more than the previous year.

The Grant Endowment Fund, which took a hit because of the slide in the stock market, rebounded as the market turned around.

Townsend said the Foundation would return partially to its original grants program this fall. Last year the program was suspended, and the money budgeted for grants was divided among the certified educators to help make up for the elimination of the teacher-fee funds from the state budget.

This fall, half the $50,000 earmarked by the Foundation awarded as grants, an the other half is being used as teacher-fee funds.

In 2008 the Foundation started the Hugh A. Lloyd Excellence in Education Award in honor of the late co-founder and charter president. The $1,000 was designed to be given to the teacher or teachers who best exemplify the focus of the Foundation.

Jennifer Tate, chairman of the Foundation's Nominating Committee, announced that this year the award is being divided among the four campus libraries so that the funds can reach the most students.

Dr. Al Griffin, newly named superintendent of education for Demopolis City Schools, expressed his pleasure at being in Demopolis and promised to work to lead the system to even great accomplishments.

John Northcutt, Foundation president, thanked all who had contributed to its success and encouraged those attending to continue their support.

SCHOOLFEST 2010

U.S. Jones Elementary School hung on to the rotating Schoolfest trophy again for its fund-raising efforts at the May event.

The trophy is awarded to the campus that raises the most money for the Demopolis City Schools Foundation during the annual Schoolfest activities.

U.S. Jones raised $5,784.94. Demopolis Middle School roared into second place by raising more than $2,000 above the previous year.

The total raised during Schoolfest in the spring was $19,354.87. The amount is well below the record set three years ago but is almost $3,000 more than the previous year.

Every penny raised during Schoolfest is returned to teachers in the fall in the form of grants.

Schoolfest chairmen were Christine Anderson and Braswell Braswell of Westside Elementary; Tammy Causey, U.S. Jones Elementary; Dana Freeman, DMS, and Annie Robertson, DHS.