About Us

FUTURES Foundation is proud of successfully providing financial assistance to Volusia County Public Schools for over twenty years.  The FUTURES Board of Directors has provided an avenue for individuals and businesses to develop positive and supportive relationships with the school system, making public education a top priority in our county.

Programs

The FUTURES programs include:

Mini-Grants Program: each year FUTURES awards classroom mini-grants to fund innovative and creative projects that address the educational needs of students. 

Turn-Around Program: FUTURES yearly recognizes middle and high school students who make a dramatic improvement in their attitude about school, as exemplified by attendance, behavior, and citizenship. 

Tomorrow's Leaders Program: FUTURES sponsors the Tomorrow’s Leaders program selecting high school juniors to participate in six day-long seminars led by community leaders.  These seminars not only familiarize the students with the challenges facing Volusia County in such areas as growth management, education, government and politics, and economic development, but also instructs them on the development of leadership skills.

Take Stock in Children Program: FUTURES coordinates the Take Stock program identifying low-income children with high academic abilities, and providing them with a 2 + 2 tuition scholarship.  Current there are 57 students in high school and 83 in college.

Staff Recognition Programs: FUTURES sponsors programs such as Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year, Superintendent’s Outstanding Achievement Award, New Teacher Breakfast, First Year Teachers Award, and recognition of transportation employees.

Staff Recruitment Program: FUTURES assists the district in bringing outstanding teachers to V.C.S.

Public Involvement: Each year the Foundation hosts two Educator Intern Programs which pair community leaders and teachers with district and school administrators in a day-long shadowing experience.

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

·         Cynthia Ramirez, President

·         John Ferguson , President-Elect

·         Kathy Fletcher,Vice President

·         Paul Clare, Secretary

·         Mike Manning, Treasurer

·         Mike Jiloty, Past President

Board Members

·         Mr. Eric Albrecht

·         Mr. Jim Bange

·         Mr. Mark Blanford

·         Mr. Jeff Brok

·         Mr. Hyatt Brown

·         Mr. Paul Clare

·         Mr. Bob Coleman

·         Ms. Suzanne Forbes

·         Mr. John Graham

·         Mr. Chris Hill

·         Ms. Candace Lankford

·         Mr. Bob Lloyd

·         Mr. Charles Lydecker

·         Mr. Len Marinaccio, III

·         Mr. Bill McMunn

·         Mr. Sandy Miller

·         Ms. Pam Mims

·         Ms. Sophia O’Keefe

·         Mr. John Poage

·         Mr. Bud Ritchey

·         Mr. George Smith

·         Dr. Margaret Smith

·         Mr. Bobby Thigpen

·         Ms. Debbie Thomas

·         Dr. Jeff Timko

·         Dr. Rosaria Upchurch

·        Mr. Sam Willett