Education foundation applauded

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

THE ISSUE: Citrus County Education Foundation.
OUR OPINION: Partnership moves forward with funding and support.

No one ever said it was easy to keep an education system going on all cylinders. In good times, in shaky economic periods, during technological transitions, amid anticipated demands and unexpected legislative actions, that treasured target for excellence can sometimes appear like a long shot.

So when a “little help from your friends” is offered, we say thank you. And when years of support, assistance and funding is produced by a foundation of community and business members, we say thank you very much.

Since 1988, the Citrus County Education Foundation has raised and invested more than $700,000 in teachers, staff and students in Citrus County public schools and actively works to support vital learning initiatives. With its longstanding mission to provide resources to enhance the quality of education, the projects and assistance this foundation has brought to this community are numerous. These include such endeavors as Teacher Mini Grants to fund innovative teacher-driven projects; scholarship programs such as Aspiring Teachers, which offers support staff members in the school system an opportunity to apply for financial assistance as they purse a degree in education; the annual Galaxy of Stars dinner awards program to recognize the best teachers and support staff across the county; support for field trips and academic events such as Math Field Day and Regional Science and Engineering Fairs; and the facilitation of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program, which brings books to more than 2,000 children who are learning to read.

Its newest signature event is ALLEGRO — which stands of Advanced Learning and Literacy Education through Grants and Resource Opportunities. This inaugural spring concert features award-winning a cappella singers on stage at Curtis Peterson Auditorium on May 1, with proceeds to provide funding for art and music programs in Citrus County schools. For ticket information call (352) 726-1931, ext. 2240.

As this foundation moves forward with new programs and new methods of fundraising, our community must not only be appreciative of these efforts, but must also add its support and participation. Through this ongoing involvement, promotion and recognition, that foundation will remain strong and able to continue this vital partnership with our public schools.

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