STEPHENS COUNTY
DUNCAN- By creating long-term partnerships with members of the community, Duncan Public School Foundation hopes to raise one million dollars annually to fund school programs.
With academics, athletics, scholarships and professional development programs all presenting challenges, the foundation hired Haylee Root as its first-ever executive director in 2016.
Since then, the foundation has been able to set fundraising goals to provide materials and programs for Duncan students and faculty. By teaming up with 58 long-term partners, the foundation has been able to fulfill the district’s current needs.
But the challenge to become a million-dollar foundation and help the district advance is a long-term goal that Root believes they are close to achieving.
This year alone, the foundation has generated $380,000 for academics, another $267,000 for athletics. Endowments provided another $80,000 for scholarships and professional development for faculty members.
“We’re looking to add another 42 supporters and to bring in a million dollars annually.” Root added.
ACADEMICS
“Education has a tremendous impact on the community,” says Root. “In order for economic development to continue, for our businesses and community to grow, we need amazing schools.”
Through the Opal Lowry Trust and Haliburton Charitable Foundation, a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) facility or “Innovation Hub” is in the works for Duncan.
By restoring one of the district’s older buildings, not only will it help the aesthetics of the high school campus, but the Innovation Hub will be one of the few on-campus STEAM facilities in the state. As with most renovation projects, additional funding is needed, but Root is confident it will be up and running soon.
Another program the foundation is developing is its Sustainable Classroom Closet. By setting up donation boxes in businesses around the community, donors can drop off supplies teachers and students will need throughout the school year once the parent-provided supplies run out.
ATHLETICS
Between 70% and 80% of Duncan’s donor-directed funding goes toward athletics. While athletic programs play an important role in schools and the community, the foundation is focusing more of its attention on covering the district’s academic needs. By reinstating a 1% fee for donor-directed gifts-which are mainly centered on athletics, the foundation can help fund academics.
The foundation, along with members of the booster clubs, collaborated with community leaders who want to improve athletic facilities like the Duncan Demons’ Baseball/Softball Indoor Practice Facility and help fund the renovations to the Hoover Family Wrestling Center.
DEx AWARDS
DPSF’s primary funding focus is for the DEx (Demon Excellence) Awards. As state and federal budget cuts affected the education, Duncan Public School Foundation created a way for DPS staff members to get the funding for professional development or materials that are otherwise unavailable through the district.
Launched in 2017, DEx Awards are like grants, but the process is simplified and allows faculty and staff members to receive funding to purchase materials. Initially, the foundation set aside $35,000 which only lasted 17 days. Seeing the legitimate requests outweighed funding, in 2018, the amount was doubled to $70,000. It only took six weeks for the funds to run out.
“This year, the foundation hopes to raise $100,000 for DEx Awards, but it depends on funding,” said Root.
With all the fundraising and partnerships being made to develop academic and athletic programs, as well as DEx Awards for faculty needs coming together, the foundation’s million-dollar idea is taking shape.