“We’re trying to bridge the gap because the needs far outweigh the resources,” Pam DeBlasio, a Rotarian and member of the Onalaska Education Foundation (OEF), said as she introduced OEF President Zachary Davies who recently provided a program for the Rotary Club of Livingston.
“Dr. Fraga contacted me in May and said I have an idea,” Davies said, referring to OISD Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Fraga.
The result of that idea was a group of community leaders coming together to form the OEF whose focus is to support Onalaska public schools through enhanced community support and the expansion of resources that enrich teaching, inspire learning and maximize opportunities for all students in the district.
The sole purpose of OEF is to benefit OISD by providing funds for educational programs and activities which are not funded by the normal operating budget. These funds will be used to facilitate student achievement and skill development, to recognize and encourage staff excellence and to expand community involvement from individuals, businesses and civic organizations.
Funding priorities will also include funds for innovative teaching grants that will provide resources directly to the classroom for teachers to implement exciting new educational programs. The grant process has been established and teachers and staff will be eligible to participate in requesting funds this fall.
OEF is a charitable organization under the IRS Section 501(c)3 and contributions to the organization are tax-deductible. “People love a good tax break,” Davies said.
According to statistics reported by the Texas Education Agency, 64.5% of the student population in Onalaska ISD is economically disadvantaged.
Giving an example of the ever present needs, Davies said the district – which has a four-day week – sends home 30-45 backpacks every weekend from the junior/senior high school alone to feed these students over the three-day weekend when they are not at school.
“Educators spend a lot of their own funds. There’s always a wish list. We want to fulfill that wish list,” Davies said.
The idea for the foundation grew from a need for supplemental funds and awareness of a growing number of education foundations serving East Texas school districts.
“We brought in Foundation Innovation LLC, a firm which specializes in developing foundations, to ensure that we meet our first year goals and objectives,” Davies said.
Foundation Innovation has worked with many communities and school districts in Texas and other states to establish foundations to benefit public school systems.
“Foundation Innovation is teaching us how to tap unknown funds. We haven’t done much yet, it’s slow-going, but we have $18,000 so far,” Davies said. “We’re not a scholarship fund because we want to keep the money in the district so students every year can succeed. We’re not a booster club either.”
According to Davies, there are approximately 1,200 students in OISD and there are two campuses, with kindergarten through sixth grade on one and seventh through 12th grade on the other. Voters in the district overwhelmingly passed a $42 million bond issue in spring of 2024 for the construction of a new high school.
“The demographics are changing rapidly,” Davies said, adding, “The elementary is bursting at the seams.
“We’re trying to give these students what they really need. We’re writing grants to the Houston Astros and the Houston Texans because we want 25 or 30 smart boards, which are a resource for the students to see how the teacher worked the problem. They cost approximately $3,000 each. It’s a luxury item, but also a necessary item,” he said.
“With the new building, there are going to be unexpected needs and expenses and we’re trying to fill that gap. We want our students to know there’s a whole big world outside of Onalaska,” Davies said.
The volunteer board that serves the OEF is made up of business owners, community members and retirees, Davies said.
“The board is dedicated to our community and educational excellence and I am proud to serve with them to support and enhance the tools available to the district. We are very excited that community members have organized to help attract private funds to benefit our schools,” Davies said.
