Okaloosa Public School Foundation outlines scholarships, teacher grants and community programs
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
The Okaloosa Public School Foundation told the school board it provides scholarships, teacher classroom grants (typically $1,000–$2,500), community events like Stuff the Bus and mentor programs, and is expanding fundraising through events such as a barbecue and bingo fundraiser.
John Spolsky, assistant superintendent and executive director of the Okaloosa Public School Foundation, and Sarah Mathis, a foundation board member and representative of Modern Technology Solutions, gave the board a presentation on the foundation’s activities.
Spolsky described the foundation as a “catalyst to promote excellence,” noting the board includes retired administrators, private‑sector and military contractors and local businesses such as Florida Power & Light and Eglin Federal Credit Union. He said the foundation runs events and programs including Stuff the Bus, community literacy events, college and career fairs, CT summer camps and the Take Stock in Children scholarship program. Mathis described the foundation’s “reality check” financial‑literacy program, where students use a simulated budget to practice money management.
Spolsky told the board the foundation provides teacher classroom grants typically ranging from $1,000 to $2,500, and that the foundation’s awards this year total in the "$50,000 to $60,000" range. He also highlighted scholarships that include two‑year postsecondary awards for students who complete the Take Stock program. The pair asked the public to volunteer as mentors and pointed to fundraising and community outreach events, including an upcoming barbecue and bingo night that they said helps raise funds for grants and scholarships.
Board members thanked the foundation representatives for volunteer recruitment and fundraising, and several trustees praised the organization’s turnaround from earlier years when it had struggled. The board noted the foundation’s role in supporting school recognitions and morale initiatives such as treat trolleys, blessing bags and service coins.
The foundation report concluded with a reminder that community options — including purchasing a specialty 'support education' license plate — also generate revenue the foundation can use to support district programs.