JOHNSTON COMMUNITY SCHOOL FOUNDATION
For more information about the Foundation,
please contact Jene Spurgin, Foundation Board Secretary, at 515-979-1333.

About Us | Board Meetings | Board of Directors | Board Reference
Who We Are | Mission | What We Do | Our Success | How You Can Help
Grant | Grant forms | Golf Tournament | Scholarship
Hall of Fame banquet | Hall of Fame forms | Award Recipient Archives

About Us back to top
Incorporated as an Iowa non-profit and non-governmental organization, the activities of the Johnston Community School Foundation are administered by a board of directors comprised of local residents. In addition, the superintendent of schools is a non-voting member of the board and serves as the foundation's executive director to ensure grants align with district goals.



Board Meeting Dates
Based on the third Thursday of the month. Meetings start at 7 p.m.

2012
January 19
February 16
March 15
April 12
April 13



Board of Directors back to top
The following individuals are currently serving as the Board of Directors for the Johnston Community School Foundation.

Mike Wilson, President
Josh Willis, Vice President
Clay Guthmiller, Executive Director
Bruce Beguhn
Jim Carney
Tina Fritz
Krista Gorsche
Jeff Haggett
Cheryl Henkenius
Todd Krone
Karl Kruse
Tom Miller
Bret Mills
Jason Olson
Blair Overton
Joleen Roskamp
Mike Smith
Andrew Traeger
Mike Wallace
Jene Spurgin, Board Secretary
Jan Miller-Hook, Finance Director
Nancy Buryanek, Alumni Assn Liaison



Who We Are back to top
Johnston Community School Foundation is a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization with a mission to provide resources for our students with the purpose of promoting educational excellence.

The Foundation’s activities are administered by a board of directors comprised of local residents. In addition, the superintendent of schools is a nonvoting member of the board and serves as the Foundation's executive director to ensure grants align with district goals.



Mission back to top
The mission of the Johnston Community School Foundation is to provide resources for our students with the purpose of promoting educational excellence.



What We Do back to top
The Johnston Community School Foundation funds school-based learning programs that fall outside the scope of Johnston’s regular funding limits. Our program funds benefit students directly and stay in our community.

In addition, we provide a framework for one-time gifts and long-term giving from local businesses, community residents and alumni.

As an organization, the Foundation:
• Receives and disburses funds, property and gifts of any kind;
• Awards grants that enhance classroom instruction by providing professional development opportunities, materials and resources for Johnston Community School District teachers, administrators, support staff
and volunteers; and
• Takes action designed to enhance educational opportunities, programs or facilities within the district.
All contributions to the Foundation are earmarked for special programs by the Foundation's Board of Directors. No funds are used to support the regular, day-to-day operational costs of our schools.
Recent Foundation funding grants have supported:
• Integration of advanced technology into Life Science classrooms, comparable to systems found in high-tech facilities, to create authentic learning experiences for students.
• Development of a math classroom mini lab utilizing mini computers to assist students in learning mathematics through technology and increasing student achievement in math.
• A program to facilitate ongoing professional development training for elementary and middle school literacy teachers to motivate, engage and challenge struggling students.
• The purchase of hardware and technology for the Summit Middle School band room to make Smart Music, an interactive, web-based practice tool, accessible to all band students to increase student learning, retention and achievement.
• Recognition of Johnston's outstanding educators and students with special awards.
We support academics, special needs and the arts and seek to enhance the educational experience in each of our schools - across all grade levels.



Our Success back to top
In 1920, the Johnston Community School District awarded its first diplomas to a high school graduating class of six students. Today, graduating classes have grown to 350-400 students—and that number continues to increase.

Over the years, we’ve built and maintained an outstanding educational environment for our students. Along the way Johnston’s schools have earned the distinction of being among the best in the state. This reputation for academic excellence has fueled unprecedented growth in our area, as many families who appreciate the value of a good education have chosen to move to Johnston so their children can attend our schools.

The future for our schools is very bright, but much more is possible with your financial support. That’s why we are asking for your contribution to the Johnston Community School Foundation.



How you can help back to top
The Johnston Community School Foundation depends entirely upon the generosity of the people and businesses that support education in our community.

Your assistance is appreciated through all types of contributions to the Johnston Community School Foundation:

• Cash or check
• Bequests through wills
• Memorials (Give in memory of someone)
• Honoraria (Give in honor of someone)
• Securities
• Property
• In-kind
• Services

The foundation's board of directors will decide how your donation will best be used, or you may specify that your gift be used for a specific purpose.

Because the foundation is a non-profit organization, most contributions and donations are tax-deductible. Consult your tax advisor for details in your specific situation.

2012 Donor Pledge Form



Grant Review and Funding Cycle back to top
The grant deadline is September 9, 2011.
The Johnston Community School Foundation will award grants totaling $39,500 for the 2011-2012 school year.  Grants will be awarded the week of October 3, 2011.

Please send grant application to:
Johnston Community School District
Attn: Jene Spurgin
Administrative Resource Center
P.O. Box 10
Johnston, Iowa 50131
Cell Phone: 515-979-1333
jene.spurgin@johnston.k12.ia.us



2011-2012 Grant Forms back to top
Grant Guidelines (PDF)
Grant Eligibility (PDF)
Grant Application (Word document)
Grant Final Report (Word document)



Annual Golf Tournament back to top
The Johnston Community School Foundation will sponsor its 12th annual Golf Tournament. If you are interested in sponsoring a hole, donating door prizes or being a team captain, please contact Jene Spurgin at 515-979-1333 or jene.spurgin@johnston.k12.ia.us.
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2011
Location: Hyperion Field Club
7390 NW Beaver Drive, Johnston, IA
Time: 12:00 p.m. - Shotgun start
Entry form



Ray & Marie Schlenker Scholarship back to top
The application deadline has been extended to February 15, 2012.
The Ray and Marie Schlenker Scholarship is a $10,000 scholarship, payable at a rate of $2,500 per year for four years, to be awarded to up to two Johnston High School graduating seniors with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and who intend to further his/her education at an Iowa four-year college or university.

Application requirements
Application form



2012 Hall of Fame Banquet back to top
The Foundation's Hall of Fame banquet honors outstanding alumni and educators, who through various endeavors, are positive role models for the student body.
Date: Friday, April 13, 2012
Time: A reception and grant expo begin at 6:00 p.m. The dinner and program begin at 7:00 p.m.
The program will include a special performance by the Johnston Middle School’s 8th grade Opus Choir.
Tickets:Banquet tickets may be purchased at the Johnston Administrative Resource Center or the Johnston Hy-Vee for $25 per person. Table of 8 is $200. Tickets go on sale March 15 and must be purchased in advance.

2012 Hall of Fame inductees and Foundation award recipients
The Johnston Community School Foundation is proud to announce the 2012 Hall of Fame inductees and Foundation award recipients.

Alumni Hall of Fame
Jerry Quick
Class of 1980

Educator Hall of Fame
Gary Busby
Educator with the Johnston Community
School District from 1972 to 2006

Outstanding Educators
Josh Morgan
Kathy Paul
Jake Randall

Outstanding Students
Kaitlyn Aldrich
Mackensie Noble
Scott Syroka

2012 Hall of Fame Nomination Forms back to top
The nomination deadline has been extended to February 15, 2012.

2012 Alumni Hall of Fame Form

Word version

PDF version

2012 Educator Hall of Fame Form

Word version

PDF version

2012 Foundation Awards Form
(This is for Outstanding Student, Outstanding Educator, "Friend of the District".)

Word version

PDF version

The "Hall of Fame" honors outstanding alumni and educators who, through various endeavors, are positive role models for the student body. There are two categories for the Hall of Fame Awards, Alumni and Educator.  Either award may be given posthumously.

Archive of Foundation Award Recipients back to top
2012
Honorees

2011
Honorees

2010
Honorees

2009
Honorees

2008
Alumni Hall of Fame
Educator Hall of Fame
Educators of the Year
Students of the Year
"Friend of the District"

2007
Alumni Hall of Fame
Educator Hall of Fame
Educators of the Year
Students of the Year
"Friend of the District"

2006
Alumni Hall of Fame
Educator Hall of Fame
Educators of the Year
Students of the Year
"Friend of the District"

2005
Alumni Hall of Fame
Educator Hall of Fame
Educators of the Year
Students of the Year
"Friend of the District"

2004 (First Inductees)
Alumni Hall of Fame
Educator Hall of Fame
Educators of the Year
Students of the Year
"Friend of the District"