Consortium of Florida Education Foundations

The Bay Education Foundation is a non-profit, direct-support organization that benefits Bay County public schools. An alliance of concerned citizens, business leaders and educators, its mission is to promote excellence in education. The Foundation has successfully developed programs that offer students and staff rewards for today and hope for tomorrow. Programs are funded through memberships, major gifts, and state and private grants.

Board of Directors:

President - Marilyn Fenimore - Vice President of Marketing & Public Relations, NAI/Emerald Coast
Vice President - Ronnie Adams - Engineer, Gulf Power Company
Treasurer - John Johnson, CPA - Segers, Sowell, Stewart, Johnson & Brill PA

Secretary - Teresa Wooten, Community Volunteer

Board Members
Juan Andrada - Director of Marketing, Verizon Wireless

Carrie Baker - Director, Workforce Development - Gulf Coast Community College

Scott Bowman - Realtor, Prudential Shimmering Sands Realty

Gene Martin - Associate Vice President, PBS&J

Al McCambry - General Manager, Knology of Panama City
Glen McDonald - North Florida Manager, Applied Research Associates

Jan McNabb - St. Joe Community Foundation
Don O’Neal - Senior Manager (Ret) - McDonnell Douglas, International Space Station

Thelma Rohan - Community Volunteer

Steve Southerland - Owner, Southerland Family Funeral Homes

Chuck Thiele - Vice President, Wachovia Bank

Margaret Tidmore - Member, Panama City Women's Club

Elizabeth Walters - Attorney, Burke, Blue, Hutchison, Walters & Smith. P.A.
Leon Walters - Physicist (Retired), Naval Surface Warfare Center

Ex Officio Members

Donna Allen - School Board Chair, Bay District School Board

James E. McCalister, Sr., Superintendent - Bay District Schools

Franklin Harrison, School Board Attorney - Harrison, Sale, McCloy, Duncan & Jackson

Barbara Dixon - ABCE Representative

Pat Martina, President - BESPA

Beth Deluzain, Executive Director, Bay Education Foundation

Highlights of Foundation Programs:

EXCEL/Take Stock in Children Leadership Program makes dreams of college a reality for students who show promise but lack financial resources. Each student inducted into the program is matched with a mentor, a caring adult who offers motivation and support for academic success. Students and parents sign an agreement to be attentive to grades, attendance and behavior. Periodic workshops, events and community service opportunities help prepare students for college and a productive future. Upon graduation, each EXCEL Scholar who has honored the agreement receives a tuition scholarship for four years of college.

Awards of Excellence recognize teachers, mentors, volunteers, staff and contributors for a strong commitment to public education. They are awarded each year at the Bay Education Foundation Annual Meeting and Dinner.

Scholarships and Academic Awards promote academic excellence and inspire students to reach their educational potential. Academic scholarships are funded by private sector individuals who work with the Foundation to establish the criteria for eligibility. Students from area high schools and middle schools are presented academic awards and scholarships each year.

Classroom Grants are awarded to teachers who have innovative ideas about delivering instruction to students. This program is very popular with teachers who are resourceful in finding funds that allow them to open new avenues of learning for their students.

Life-long Learning Scholarships offers tuition assistance to attend Gulf Coast Community College or Florida State University - Panama City. This opportunity is open to teachers, administrators and staff who are seeking degrees that will be of future benefit to the school district.

License for Learning

Fees from the Florida specialty auto tag “Support Education” are used to help fund Classroom Grants. Request this license plate at renewal time.

Updated: 3/5/09