Henry County Schools inaugurated the Henry County Public Schools Foundation (HCPSF) during a daylong workshop for its newly appointed Board of Trustees on February 7. The foundation will provide philanthropic support for the district’s students and staff to optimize the learning experience and enhance educational outcomes.
Henry County Schools Foundation
Establishing the foundation was part of the district’s five-year strategic plan. The current strategic plan covers 2021-2026. It was developed with intensive community input collected during 2019 and 2020. The new foundation can accept donations from individuals and businesses to invest directly into Henry County Schools. The board’s initial funding priorities include the following items:
- scholarships,
- community engagement initiatives,
- fine arts education,
- STEM education,
- athletics,
- teacher support, and
- teacher innovation.
The foundation held an all-day workshop on February 7. The day’s activities included work sessions, a luncheon, a pinning ceremony, and the board’s first business meeting. By the end of the workshop, Trustees adopted a mission “to inspire and empower our community to support exceptional opportunities for all students, parents, and staff” and a vision to “engage the community and invest resources that ensure access to an exceptional education for all students and staff.”
Quotes & Comments
“Launching this Foundation is a significant milestone in our current, five-year Community-Inspired Strategic Plan that further enables HCS to deliver on its promise to provide a high-quality, world-class education for every student,” said Board of Education Chair Sophe Pope. “The Foundation will build on board initiatives designed to enrich the academic experience and deepen our community allegiance by cultivating partnerships and strengthening family and stakeholder engagement.”
“We are thrilled to establish the Henry County Public Schools Foundation,” said Foundation Director Dr. Maria A. Lumpkin. “With a rich history of providing public education since the mid-1800s, Henry County continues to demonstrate its commitment to excellence and innovation in education. The Foundation will play a crucial role in supporting our students and employees, ensuring our county remains a leader in public education for many years to come.”
“By leveraging the generosity of our community, we can expand opportunities and access to prepare our students for college, career, and life,” said Superintendent Dr. John Pace. “This transformative initiative seeks to advance educational excellence through a sustainable model of contributions to create a legacy of exceptional outcomes for generations of HCS students.”
Board Officers
The Feb. 7 board workshop also included the election of officers. Holly Cobb, who previously served on the Henry County Board of Education for eight years, was elected president. Marla Reddick, director of business data governance at the Coca-Cola Company, was elected secretary.
“I am excited and honored to be part of the inaugural Board of Trustees for the Henry County Public Schools Foundation,” Cobb said. “I invite our community members to join us as we invest in our children’s future. Through their support, we will empower every Henry County Schools student by enhancing available resources and enriching educational experiences. I look forward to this impactful work and ensuring our students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
Foundation Board of Trustees
The HCPSF Board of Trustees is a diverse group that includes retired educators, parents, counselors, and local business and community leaders. The following community members comprise the inaugural foundation board of trustees:
- Holly Cobb, President,
- Marla Reddick, Secretary,
- Natasha Branch,
- Octavia F. Bryan,
- Cindy Crawford,
- James Xavier Johnson,
- Kimberly Redd,
- Debra O’Quinn,
- Alpa Panchal,
- Shashee Patel,
- Sheryl Riggins,
- Laura Whittaker Shortt, and
- Chimiya Turner-Smith.
In addition, the following school district personnel and the BOE Chair serve as ex-officio, non-voting members:
- Superintendent Dr. Pace,
- School Board Chair Sophe Pope,
- HCS Chief Financial Officer Shanika Clay,
- HCS Chief of Staff Summer Cox, and
- HCS Chief Operating Officer Barry Miles.
The HCPSF will operate independently and as a separate entity from the school district. Visit the Foundation’s newly launched website to learn more about its funding priorities and upcoming initiatives.
Portions of this article reprinted from a Henry County Schools press release. Featured image shows the Henry County Schools Foundation inaugural members. Henry County Schools photo.
