The Outstanding Efforts of the Prescott Unified School District Education Foundation
By Tara Fort
With four of her five children attending school within the Prescott Unified School District (PUSD), Attorney Krista Carman was passionate about collaborating with other parents and community leaders to find ways to publicly and privately fund the District’s schools after the failed bond and override in 2013. Her vision and dedication with other like-minded individuals formed the Prescott Unified School District Education Foundation (PUSDEF). Says Carman, “The Foundation was created to allow businesses and community members to contribute and receive a tax deduction for their generosity.”
What started as a small group, the Foundation now has 27 volunteers who make up the Board and Advisory Board—all of whom have contributed financially, as well as with their generous time and energy. Vice-President of Development, Rebecca Horniman states, “For a Foundation that was founded only three years ago, we have already given more than $200,000. PUSD is the first school district in all of Arizona, and is one of the largest employers in Prescott. It has been the number one choice of schools for families since 1871.”
Both Carman and Horniman envision the Foundation will assist and support PUSD in its effort to be the best district in the state. Carman says, “Currently, we are creating a much-needed playground at Granite Mountain School, and we have assisted with the remodel of the PHS Lobby called Badger Commons.” Since 2015, The Foundation has given over $100,000 in teacher grants which allow teachers to dream big in areas such as technology, robotics and fine arts. She adds, “I envision all Prescott area businesses catching the vision of the Foundation and PUSD, and partnering with us to fund the very real needs and exciting dreams of our schools and teachers.”
District Superintendent Joe Howard has witnessed the fast-growing success of the Foundation. He states, “The Prescott Unified School District Education Foundation is without a doubt an effort of which I am most proud to be a part. The grass-roots nature of its beginning during some tough times in public education created a hope that had been missing. To watch these parents and community members—who already work their own jobs to the max—give their all to this district has been inspirational. The quick success of this Foundation is one of the biggest signs that our district is healthy and thriving. The PUSDEF is a true picture of a community in action for its future.”
This year, $25,000 from Party in the Pines sponsored by Prescott Area Young Professionals (PAYP) benefited the PUSDEF. Alexis Miller, Marketing Director for PAYP, says, “PAYP was pleased to have chosen the PUSDEF as its recipient of the funds raised at our biggest event. The Foundation supports many great programs to increase funding in the District and, as there are many young professionals raising families in Prescott, PAYP is committed to supporting children and families in our community.” Carman agrees, “This one event has given PUSDEF the opportunity to help fund a new engineering program at PHS which is innovative and exciting! It also allows us to fund many other teacher grants that benefit Prescott’s students every day.”
For more information about the PUSD Education Foundation, visit pusdeducationfoundation.com.