Peekskill Education Foundation

Peekskill Education Foundation Created to Support City’s Students
Organization is Similar to Those in Neighboring Communities Which Have Raised Significant Sums.
Current Economic Environment Makes Community Support

More Essential Than Ever
For Immediate Release
Monday, March 31, 2003
Contact: Jeff Stern
914- 736-3299
PEEKSKILL, NY—In a major display of support for the children of this northern Westchester city, a group of residents has come together to create the Peekskill Education Foundation (PEF).
This independent, not-for-profit group will work with the Peekskill City School District. The mission of the PEF is to encourage all of the city’s children to excel and to act as a catalyst for positive change by raising funds, developing enrichment programs and linking the community with its schools.
Many of Peekskill’s neighboring Westchester communities benefit from education funds that have raised tens and even hundreds of thousands of dollars for their students. Officials at the Peekskill City School District welcomed the new group with eager anticipation.
“Over the past decade, communities all across Westchester have launched education foundations to support their school districts,” Peekskill Superintendent of Schools Judith Johnson said. “These foundations not only raise funds for school enrichment programs, but also generate enthusiasm and support for the goals of the school district.”
Work on the Foundation began in April 2002, when a Steering Committee was formed. That committee worked to secure non-profit status with New York State. As of last month, they also recruited a varied and diverse group for a board of directors whose membership reaches across the political and professional spectrum and includes lawyers, educators, retired military veterans, and marketing, public relations and non-profit professionals.
Among the members of the Board are Peekskill City Council members Cathy Pisani and Mel Bolden, who are also teachers in the school district; former Peekskill City Manager Patrick Garvey; Kathy Daley, a founder and former editor of the Peekskill Herald; Kathie Talbot, owner of the Peekskill graphics and marketing firm Talbot Productions Inc.; Professor Dr. William C. Maxwell, co-owner of the Maxwell Fine Arts Gallery in Peekskill and a professor at The College of New Rochelle; Fr. C. Allan Ford, pastor of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Also on the Board are Jo Brill, legislative assistant to Assemblywoman Sandra Galef; realtor Maria Pereira; Todd Scott, vice president, system sales, east coast region, International Business Machines Corp.; Allen Love, Jr., managing director of anti-money laundering practice leader, Citigate Global Intelligence and Security; Waymond Brothers, executive director of The Museum of the Underground Railroad; Janice Molloy, a Manhattan attorney; Bob Hersh, a Peekskill attorney; Tony Seideman, journalist and marketing consultant; Lise Prown, computer center manager, Westchester Community College; and Jeff Stern, consultant. The superintendent of schools and the president of the Peekskill Board of Education, Tuesday McDonald, serve as ex-officio, or non-voting, members of the Board.
Education foundations in nearby school districts such as Hendrick Hudson, Lakeland and Yorktown have all played an important role in supporting children by doing everything from sponsoring educational travel and trips to providing teachers with grants for special projects.
Education foundations raise funds to support projects and activities that are not within the scope of most school budgets. The Peekskill Education Foundation also will help to build bridges between the local business community and the school district. It will work closely with the district’s Parent Teachers Organization (PTO), which is a longtime key partner with the school district.
“By strengthening educational opportunities for Peekskill’s children, we all benefit,” says board President Jeff Stern, who, as a parent of two children in the school district, is also active in the PTO. “We provide incentives for our children to seek higher education, increase property values by improving the reputation of our schools, and expand the horizons of our young people.”
A number of PEF board members do not have children, but are volunteering in the hope of improving the quality of life of the community at large.
Though the Foundation has only just begun to meet, a number of committees have already been formed. These include fundraising and program development committees, and another committee that is securing federal tax-exempt status.
Other officers of the PEF board are Janice Molloy, vice president; Kathy Daley, secretary; and Maria Pereira, treasurer.
“The Foundation is committed to both doing well and having fun,” Stern said.
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