MISSION:

To enhance resources for the educational success of ALL students in the Center School District by actively engaging students, parents, teachers, administrators, community members & alumni. We fulfill our mission by raising money to give grants to teachers for innovative, measurable, and high impact projects.

OFFICERS

  • Chairman - Rick Sanford; Compass Realty Group / Impact Homes LLC, CHS Graduate

  • Vice Chairman - Mark Pratt, CFP; Creative Planning Retirement Solutions, CHS Graduate

  • Treasurer - Janine Bell, EA, MBA; J9 Accounting LLC

STAFF

  • Executive Director, Danielle Reno

BOARD MEMBERS

  • Aaron Racine, J.D.; Monaco, Sanders, Racine, Powell & Reidy, CHS Graduate

  • William Gotfredson, J.D.; Law Office of William J Gotfredson, P.C.

  • Ted Beckett, J.D.; Beckett & Hensley, CHS Graduate

  • Martha Capehart; Retired Executive Secretary, Center School District

  • Larry Mattson; Retired Educator

  • Selina Rios; CHS Graduate

  • Cathy Stoetzer; Husch Blackwell LLP

  • John Parker; Q10 Triad Capital Advisors, CHS Graduate

  • Judy Unruh; Real Estate Agent simpliHŌM

  • Jillian Evans; CHS Graduate


EX-OFFICIO
OPEN, Superintendent of Schools, Center School District

 

ABOUT US

The Center Education Foundation was co-founded in 1999 by Center parent, William J. Gotfredson, in collaboration with Dr. David Smith. Two Directors helped move the Foundation forward, Rick Chambers followed by Meg Nicely. The Foundation was founded with the purpose of enhancing educational opportunities for students in the Center School District. The Foundation fulfills a need for educational opportunities that fall outside the District’s current funding. The Foundation currently focuses on two important and impactful programs.

  1. Teacher Grants: This program provides grants to teachers within the District who want to implement new, often innovative, teaching methods on a trial basis. These trials often become become part of the District’s curriculum. Teachers also submit grant requests for projects that extend and enrich current educational programs such as robotics teams, literacy initiatives, attending theater performances, museums, competitions, and other field trips.

  2. Impact Center Schools: This program is dedicated to addressing the pressing issue of students experiencing housing insecurity due to unstable housing conditions or economic challenges. To tackle this significant problem, the Foundation actively supports the Impact Center Schools program operated collaboratively by various local agencies in South Kansas City. This program is designed to assist families find, attain and maintain stable, affordable housing. Impact Center Schools also assists parents with finding gainful employment.

Our student population is notably diverse, with a significant percentage of students from low to modest-income families. A fundamental goal of the District and the Foundation is to provide comprehensive educational opportunities to help our students become productive and engaged citizens in a rapidly changing and increasingly complex world.

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of community members who share a vision for quality education.  The Board meets regularly to review grant requests, provide oversight of Foundation activities, and support the funding needs of the students/teachers.