Foundation News

Evans High Class of 1983 Alumni Donation (Click Here)

Evans High School Class of 1983 Alumni Donation

September 26, 2023

The Evans High School Class of 1983 held their 40th class reunion in August, 2023. The Class of 1983 planning committee collected donations from members to host the event. Remaining funds after the reunion were donated by the class to the Columbia County School District Foundation. Members of the class' planning committee presented the donation to the Board of Education.

Members include: Tammy Shepherd, Doug Hemingway, Jan Wiggins, Jeff Dowdle, Alice Padgett, Phil Lee, Judy McLure, and Millie Kolinski (not pictured)

Thank you, alumni!

Foundation Trustees Recognized by Board of Education (Click Here)

Foundation Trustees Recognized by Board of Education

October 24, 2023

The Columbia County School District Foundation was formed last spring to support the district’s vision and mission. Six initial Foundation Trustees have been recruited and have volunteered to dedicate their time and expertise to govern the organization and to help with fundraising and programming efforts.

These six individuals represent a variety of backgrounds and work across many business sectors. All either have graduated from the Columbia County School District and/or have children who have graduated from the district. This is a group of people with many years of combined experience serving in similar capacities for other local organizations and nonprofits.

Trustees include the following:

Foundation Chairman - Adam Williams, Partner with The Cleveland Group.
Foundation Vice-Chairman Stan Shepherd, Regional Director with AT&T
Foundation Secretary - Megan Moye, Chief Marketing Officer with Meybohm
Jonathan Samuel, President of GIW Industries
Steve Baxter, Vice President of Pollock Company
Wendy Perry, Principal with Katalis

Additionally, several non-voting Trustees will help advise the Foundation regarding how to best support the district.

Lee Ann Meyer, Columbia County School District Board of Education representative
Dr. Steve Flynt, Columbia County School District Superintendent
Ashley Whitaker, Columbia County School District Foundation Coordinator, will serve as Executive Director for the Foundation
Alex Casado, Chief Financial Officer for the Columbia County School District, will serve as the Treasurer for the Foundation.

Thank you to our Trustees for the time and energy you have already spent and will spend, helping to support and grow the Foundation! For more information about the Foundation, or to make a tax-deductible donation, click here

Foundation awards Fine Arts Mini-Grants to 10 CCSD teachers with proceeds from Arts at the Plaza (Click Here)

Foundation awards Fine Arts Mini-Grants to 10 CCSD teachers with proceeds from Arts at the Plaza

November 21, 2024

The Columbia County School District Foundation has awarded $500 fine arts mini-grants to 10 teachers in the CCSD to enhance fine arts programs across the district.

The grants not only enhance student engagement in the fine arts, they also show our community’s support of the fine arts, which are alive and growing in the Columbia County School District (CCSD).

The grants are made possible due to the success of the CCSD’s inaugural Arts at the Plaza event held last spring. Through event ticket sales and the generosity of our business partners, the Foundation has been able to offer additional support for the arts districtwide all year long.

Fine Arts Mini-Grant Winners are as follows:

Evans High School – Band, Mr. Patrick Williams, Assistant Band Director

Greenbrier High School – Visual Arts, Ms. Carrie Brooks

Greenbrier High School – Band, Mr. Rutledge Boykin, Assistant Band Director

Grovetown High School – Visual Arts: Photography, Ms. Amanda Hamilton

Columbia Virtual Academy – Music Technology, Ms. Angel Cleary

Columbia Middle School – Band, Director Mr. Luke Yelton

Columbia Middle School – Art, Ms. Nancy Morris

Baker Place Elementary School – Music, Ms. Hannah Johnson

North Harlem Elementary School – Music, Ms. Lauren Stitcher

Grovetown Elementary School – Visual Arts, Ms. Danielle Marlow

With these funds, our teachers are planning to purchase and update equipment that will benefit students by providing more hands-on learning opportunities, improving fine motor skills and attention to detail, improving rhythmic understanding, learning creativity and improvisation, and so much more.

Congratulations, to all of our outstanding grant recipients and a special thanks to our community for making this possible. Mark your calendar for the second annual Arts at the Plaza, set for April 26, 2025, at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center. For more information about how to support Arts at the Plaza, please visit www.ccboe.net/sponsors.

Columbia County School District Foundation Sponsors Students for Christmas (Click Here)

Columbia County School District Foundation Sponsors Students for Christmas

December 17, 2024

This year, the Columbia County School District made Christmas extra special by hosting a "Holiday Wish" tree, where employees could sponsor an in-need CCSD student, ensuring every child has something to unwrap this holiday season.

Overall, approximately 40 CCSD students and their families were served by this program. Of those 40 families, the Columbia County School District Foundation was able to sponsor 20!

Thank you to the Foundation's donors and community partners who support us annually. Because of you, we were able to give back in this way. Your donations, sponsorships, and support make a world of difference for our students.

If you would like to sponsor a student in 2025, please email Ashley at [email protected]

Columbia County School District Hosts Annual Partner in Education Breakfast

January 2025

Columbia County School District Hosts Annual Partner in Education Breakfast

The Columbia County School District (CCSD) was honored to host its 2024 Partners in Education Breakfast on Jan. 10 at Brandon Wilde. This event was originally scheduled for September 2024, but was delayed due to Helene.

The Partner in Education Breakfast is hosted annually in appreciation of the District’s community partners. More than 40 local and regional businesses were recognized at the breakfast, and SRP Federal Credit Union was awarded the Preston Blanchard Outstanding Partner Award, a special honor given each year to a partner in education who is a tremendous supporter and champion of the District.

The District would like to thank its community partners in education for their support in helping the District continue its legacy of educational excellence.

CTAE Pathway Students Showcase Talent at Annual Community Competition

Feb. 15, 2025

The fifth annual Columbia County CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education) Workforce Showcase Competition took place on Friday, February 7, 2025. The event is held each year in partnership with the Columbia County School District, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia County Chamber Foundation, and the Columbia County School District Foundation.

The showcase features students enrolled in a wide range of pathways, including Agriculture, Automotive, Electrical, Engineering, Fire/EMR, and Law Enforcement, showcasing knowledge, skills and abilities they have learned in their respective programs through competition with their peers.

More HERE.

September 2025

At the last Columbia County School District Board Meeting, the CCSD Foundation was a part of two special recognitions.

First, our Foundation Trustees were recognized for their service. The CCSD Foundation was formed in 2023, and during the 2024-2025 school year raised $230,000 in support of the District. The Foundation's Trustees are a BIG part of that and we truly appreciate all that they do for our school community.

The Columbia County School District also recognized Georgia's Own Credit Union and their Region President Stacy Tallent, for their support and commitment to the District. Georgia's Own is a valued community partner and has truly made a positive impact on the District.