News

ANDOVER ADVANTAGE EXCEEDS CAMPAIGN GOALS

August 1, 2008
The Andover Advantage Foundation exceeded 07-08 campaign goals by raising $175,000, a $50,000 increase from the 2006-2007 Giving Campaign. The increase is part of a three year strategic plan developed by the Board. The plan also calls for a $45,000 increase for the 08-09 campaign, making this year’s goal $215,000.

Key to the success of 07-08 campaign was a newly formed partnership with Scholfield Auto Dealerships, which has been renewed for 08-09 campaign year. Last year’s success was also attributed to the donations of many generous parents, families, businesses and USD 385 staff members.

Board President Darcy Eads noted, “It was a great year for Andover Advantage as we were able to provide a record amount of grant funding. The community increased giving by 40%, helping us utilize a matching gift from the Scholfield Auto Group. We are thrilled to announce that Schofield has provided an excellent start to our upcoming giving campaign by recommitting their $15,000 pledge for the next year.”

Andover Advantage is a non-profit foundation dedicated to providing unique student educational experiences through grants to teachers for classroom enrichment projects, programs that directly benefit students and materials that challenge students at all levels. Since 1996, Andover Advantage has awarded more than 500 grants to all Andover schools totaling $356,743.82.

For more information about the Andover Advantage Foundation, you may visit our website at www.andoveradvantage.org or email us at info@andoveradvantage.org.

Andover Advantage Meets Campaign Goals

Lofty goals, dedicated volunteers and a community committed to the betterment of Andover Public Schools helped Andover Advantage meet their goal of $170,000 during the 2007-2008 Giving Campaign. This represents a 36% increase from the $125,000 raised during the 2006-2007 Giving Campaign.

Giving Campaign Co-Chair Lori Shinsato said, "We set our sights very high this year - the results would not have been possible without the commitment of an extremely high quality group of volunteers who are passionate about Andover Public Schools."

"A key to our success was the participation of Scholfield Automobile Dealerships as our first ever corporate sponsor. The dealerships matched any new or increased contributions up to $15,000," said Melinda Fritze, Giving Campaign Co-Chair.

Andover Advantage is a non profit organization that works solely to support the Andover Public Schools. During its 10-year existence, Andover Advantage has awarded more than 500 grants and special projects to all Andover schools.

"Although we have met our goal, there is still time to give. Our fiscal year end is June 30. Donations received before that date will still be recognized in the Andover Advantage annual report," Fritze said.

Andover Advantage Awards Over $70,000 to Andover Schools

In November, Andover Advantage Awarded Over $70,000 in Teacher Grants and Special District-Wide Project to the Andover Public Schools. Please read our Press Release for full details.

Andover Advantage Kicks Off Annual Giving Campaign

The Andover Advantage Foundation has kicked off their 2007-2008 Giving Campaign with a goal of raising $170,000, a $45,000 increase over last year, to fund innovative and creative teacher grants. To help meet this goal, Scholfield Auto Dealerships has partnered with Andover Advantage to match any new donations or increases in previous year's gifts - up to $15,000.

Why should you give to Andover Advantage?

Andover schools offer one of the best public educations available in the State of Kansas with outstanding test scores
Attracting and retaining outstanding teachers must be a top priority
Andover is known for innovative and advanced classroom technology
All Andover teachers contribute countless dollars to their own classrooms
100 teachers and administrators have already pledged over $8,000 to Andover Advantage this year
The school district is growing rapidly, bringing increased demand on school budgets
On a per pupil basis, Andover is one of the lowest funded districts in the state due to the state education funding formula
Last year, AAF could only fund a third of all academic grants requested
Special District-Wide Project - "Podcasting"

How does your child benefit from Andover Advantage?
Andover Advantage is the only organization that supports the educational needs for all Andover students. Andover Advantage strives to allocate funds equally among individual schools.

District-wide projects

PowerSchool web based student information system
Social studies curriculum enhancements
CD listening centers for every elementary classroom
World Music Drumming for all elementary schools

Andover Advantage Announces Corporate Sponsor

The Andover Advantage Foundation (AAF) has announced that Scholfield Automobile Dealerships will partner with the Foundation for the 2007-08 Giving Campaign.

Andover Advantage raises private funds from the community which provide resources exclusively for Andover public schools.

Scholfield Automobile Dealerships have agreed to provide $15,000 to match any new or increased giving during this year's campaign.

"This generous gift could potentially be the largest single donation in our ten year history," said AAF director of major gifts Lynette Juresic.

"Scholfield Automobile Dealerships are proud to be affiliated with Andover Advantage in support of Andover Public Schools in this first ever corporate partnership between the two organizations," said Roger Scholfield, Managing Partner of Scholfield Honda. "Scott Hatchett and I each have 2 children in the school district and we have both contributed individually to the Andover Advantage Foundation over the years. My wife, Jaki, served on the Foundation board for many years, and I have personally seen the good works that the Foundation has done for our school district."

Andover Advantage is a non-profit school foundation formed in 1997. Since its inception, the organization has provided more than 400 Academic Advantage Grants and special project grants to enhance student learning in Andover Public Schools. A recent special project is PowerSchool, a web-based software system which benefits students, teachers and parents.

From left to right: Mark A. Evans, Superintendent of Andover Public Schools; Brad Elliott, Andover Advantage Major Donors Chair and President and CEO Equity Bank; Roger Scholfield, Managing Partner, Scholfield Honda; Scott Hatchett, Managing Partner, Scholfield Auto Plaza; Nancy Kirkendoll, President, Andover Board of Education.