The Hays Consolidated Independent School District has announced the planned re-launch of the Hays Education Foundation.
According to a release from the district, the Hays Education Foundation has been working since the pandemic disruption to reinvent itself as an organization that can grow with the district and tackle a changing array of education funding needs. On Thursday, November 9, 2023, the Foundation will host a re-launch event and share its new plans.
“The Foundation, a district partner since 1998, has provided valuable assistance to district teachers and students. The first 25 years were successful for the early 21st century Hays CISD. However, with no sign of student population growth slowing, and increasingly uncertain education funding from the state, it’s time to reassess, retool, and remake the Foundation into an organization that can serve Hays CISD for the next 25 years,” said Hays CISD Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright.
In 1998, when the Foundation was first created, Hays CISD had a student population of 6,126. Today Hays CISD is home to 23,300 students – nearly four times as many. To prepare for the Foundation’s new direction, the Hays CISD Board of Trustees entered into a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Foundation earlier in 2023 and then hired two newly created staff positions in September.
“This is an exciting time for the foundation. We have such a strong and supportive community that wants to grow with the district,” said Ida Musgrove, the new Hays Education Foundation executive director. “I am prepared to assist the Foundation and District in achieving the new goals and vision for a successful future.”
Some of the stated goals with the re-launch include:
- Focusing on raising more money by setting higher fundraising goals to meet the growing needs of the district.
- Adding a 100% Hays direct-to-student grant program to ensure money isn’t a barrier for students to participate in activities, career and technical education classes, fine arts, and sports.
- Adding a “Big and Bold” grant program to pay for important, larger district initiatives, including potentially funding staff positions for education programs.
- Adding professional development grants for teachers.
- Continuing grants for teachers to buy materials for lessons in their classrooms.
