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More than 62% of Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) students are economically disadvantaged, and so far, this year the district has provided more than 10,000 courtesy meals with unpaid meal balances currently totaling more than $14,000, highlighting the financial challenges facing students and the importance of community-supported programs.
These were a few of the topics among other needs that were discussed during Future Forward: An Evening to Invest in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD students hosted by the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Educational Foundation on Thursday, Oct. 29, at The Meeting Place.
Business leaders, community members and CFBISD supporters came together to understand how private donations and educational foundation grants help address students’ needs not covered by state or federal funding.
Kristen Hess, CFBISD director of student nutrition services, said that 62.42% of the district’s student population are economically disadvantaged. The district has a current balance of $14,506.62 in unpaid meals, which is expected to rise to over $20,000 by the end of the school year.
Students can have up to a negative $12 balance on their meal balance, but regardless, the district can provide courtesy breakfasts and courtesy lunches. Hess said that so far this year ,the district has provided 2,176 courtesy breakfasts and 7,827 courtesy lunches.
The educational foundation helps cover costs associated with courtesy meals that are not covered through federal funding.
The Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD Educational Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, whose purpose is to use raise funds to create grants and scholarships that serve the school district in ways not always available by state or federal funding.
Victor Johnson, executive director of the organization, emphasized the educational foundation's role in connecting community donations with students’ needs inside the classrooms.
The educational foundation supports programs beyond student nutrition that provide students with essential supplies, educational opportunities and career andworkforce preparation beyond the classroom.
The Giving House is another example of how the district partners with the educational foundation to provide students with necessities and essential school items. Staff members and school counselors can request special items for students or items they need and those items will be delivered to the students’ campuses in less than twenty-four hours.
“It does really make an impact. Donations go to programs like this,” said Liz Binion, CFBISD director of student services.
Grants from the educational foundation also support career and technical education programs that prepare students for the workforce after graduation.
Chad Hunter, CFBISD executive director of advanced academics and world languages, spoke in depth about the Career & Technical (CTE) Education Programs that the district provides across the different high schools. These programs offered students have been provided with 500 to over 3000 industry certifications, he said. The district's goal is for all students to graduate post-secondary ready, with options and be successful in whatever they choose to do.
The Law and Criminal Justice Academy at Creekview High School is among one of the CTE programs supported by grants from the Educational Foundation.
Jonathon Cartray, CTE academy facilitator and director of the Law and Criminal Justice Academy at Creekview High School, highlighted how the educational foundation plays a role of grant funding in maintaining opportunities for students pursuing careers in law and criminal justice. (Wish we had a quote here.)
Grants from the Educational Foundation extend beyond the classrooms.
School nurses have received assistance with state-mandated training that is required but not funded by the state. Hidden in Plain Sight, a program that the CFBISD health and safety department puts on for parents and students is also supported by grants. This interactive, hands-on program helps parents and community members identify everyday objects teens may use to hide risky behaviors teenagers.
The program provides information that allows and help families recognize potential dangers and begin conversations with teenagers about safety.
Pat Enlow, the vice president of programs and donors of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Educational Foundation, shared how grants allow teachers and other staff members in the district to request financial assistance for programs and services that benefits students.
The foundation’s work also depends on partnerships with local businesses and community donors.
Al Mahesh, a commercial real estate professional and event partner encouraged all the business and community leaders in attendance to consider to help support the CFB Educational Foundation.
“We as a community can do something about this. We are here to help the children, the future business leaders. It takes a village to raise a child; we need to decide what kind of village we are going to be,” Mahesh said.
Doug Burnside, chairman of the board of directors for the CFB Educational Foundation, reinforced the foundations mission. “Everyone deserves a chance to excel in life," he said.
For more information and to become a sponsor of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Educational Foundation you can visit their website.
Through scholarships, grants, meal assistance and supporting student programs, the educational foundation works to address financial barriers that affect students both inside and outside the classroom, while setting them up for success for their futures.
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