Technology Refresh, New Teacher Recruitment and Professional Development
In the nine years as Chairman of the Lakeshore Excellence Foundation, we have committed to fund several multi-year, major projects and numerous annual grants.
In each case, we attempt to select projects that will have significant and immediate impact on our student’s learning experience. I personally have felt very good about what we have been able to accomplish in the past nine years with these projects. I continue to feel great about our progress.
LEF strives to create a collaborative effort between Superintendent Eding, the school administration and the Lakeshore Board of Education when assessing the opportunities that can deliver the greatest impact on the
overall educational experience.
We faced a few challenges as we tried to determine where to make our next project investment. As we transitioned superintendents from Phil Freeman to Greg Eding, continued Covid implications along with recent school threats made it difficult to develop a list of projects that could be considered for funding.
Although the process took a bit longer than anticipated, we are excited to announce that the LEF board approved three projects that were submitted by Superintendent Eding.
We have committed to funding $720,000 for an Elementary Technology Refresh, New Teacher Recruitment and Professional Development for our current staff.
These projects are in addition to our regular grants. More information about each of these major projects is contained within this newsletter.
I also continue to feel great about the collaboration between our LEF board and the administration as we discussed the project options that were presented as considerations. During the discussions, comments were made including:
- “The PLC (Professional Learning Communities) conference is the single best educational conference that an educator can go to.”
- “How fast can we get 100% of our teachers/administration to attend the training?”
- “We now, finally and effectively, can get to a 1:1 technology in our elementary schools.”
- “Our already established “Late Start Wednesdays” provide the forum for the implementation of the PLC methodology.”
- “Every student and every teacher will be impacted thus supporting our DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) guidelines.”
- “We want to recruit the best teachers and this grant money will set us apart from other districts.”
- “We cannot afford to NOT do all three of these projects now!”
With this type of positive discussion, we concluded that bundling these three major projects will really set the Lakeshore district apart from the others. We feel that the collective impact of these projects will be a minimum improvement of 3% (most likely 5%-10%) in the various student test scores ( M-STEP, PSAT, NWEA, SAT). Superintendent Eding has indicated that this is his most strategic educational initiative and we are pleased to be able to support his focus.
As your Chairman, I am more excited and positive about these projects than any in the past nine years!
We all want the very best for our students, and this project portfolio will position Lakeshore at the very top of the numerous surveys that are taken regarding the “best” schools in the state. Our district will be able to recruit better new hires, retain current employees while providing development opportunities, and better ensure student readiness for the future.
I’m sure that you noticed in the discussion above, I talked about the LEF doing this or that. I hope that you understand that the LEF is only as good as you, our financial supporters, are in providing for the funding of these various projects. This community has been a very “giving” community in the past with our numerous projects. Today, we ask for your continued support as we initiate the fundraising for our largest commitment ever … $720,000. Investing in our children and their education is one of the most important investments we can make.
Thank you for your interest, and I hope that you share my excitement regarding this portfolio of critical projects. Please consider making a tax deductible contribution from your limited discretionary income to support these critical projects that will positively impact every student, staff member and our surrounding community.
Sincerely,
J.C. Anderson, LEF Board Chairman
Online Auction Donors