$10,000
Endowment Named for James Terry
The
newly-organized Mesquite ISD Education Foundation, Inc. allocated
$10,000 of its funds to the Dr. James Terry Endowment Fund. Earnings
on the endowment will support programs and ensure the perpetuity
of the foundation.
Marco
Cisneros, vice president of programs, announced the creation of
the Dr. James Terry Endowment at the superintendent's retirement
reception, May 15. Dr. Terry retired as Mesquite ISD's superintendent
on July 1after four decades in education.
David
Belt, president of the foundation, explained that the James Terry
Endowment is a way for friends and colleagues to honor the contributions
Dr. Terry has made to Mesquite . “Dr. Terry was instrumental in
getting this foundation started and is a major factor in its success.
Our first endowment now bears the name of a man of accomplishment,
integrity and service.”
James
Terry has championed children throughout his career. From math
teacher to superintendent to state leadership roles, he routinely
reminds colleagues, “We're here for the kids.” He considers the
formation of the Mesquite ISD Education Foundation to be one of
the landmark accomplishments of his tenure in office. He was both
“honored and shocked” at the announcement of the robust endowment.
Incoming
Mesquite superintendent, Dr. Linda Henrie, called James Terry “an anchor for MISD – someone who brought wisdom and insight into
every situation. Doing what was best for children was never negotiable,” she said.
The
foundation is intended to supplement and enhance programs that
might not be implemented if it were not for private donations.
Since state funding has fallen from 60 percent to around 38 percent
for Texas public schools, programs for students and teachers are
feeling the crunch. Rather than cut programs, Dr. Terry believes alternative funding such as the foundation may be the answer
for limited school district budgets.
For
more information or to make a contribution, contact Mesquite ISD
administrator in charge Dr. Denise Kutch at 972-882-7396.
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