A nonprofit organization whose purpose is to enhance public education in Kosciusko

 

our story

The Kosciusko Foundation for Excellence in Education (KFEE) was chartered in July of 1991 as a nonprofit organization whose purpose was to enhance public education in Kosciusko.  The founders of this organization were comprised of Kosciusko business leaders, teachers, mothers, doctors and concerned parents who were interested in supporting and supplementing the Kosciusko City Schools.  

Our public school system was one of few that remained intact throughout the integration of schools in our State due to the commitment of a diverse group of individuals.   Kosciusko was fortunate to have strong educational leadership during those years along with business and civic support for public education.   The  Kosciusko Public Schools maintained academic excellence along the way. 

The initiating event which laid the groundwork for KFEE came from the public efforts to place air conditioners in our schools in 1989.  “Cool the Schools” was a very successful campaign, raising money to air condition each and every classroom in the district.  This enabled students to learn in a cool environment, much more consistent with enhanced learning.  The existing PTA/HOPE (Helpers of Public Education) lead the way in this campaign.  Various fundraising events were held including penny drives, t-shirt sales, and folding files at an area business.  

KFEE grew out of these efforts.  Patterned after the CREATE Foundation in Tupelo,  membership in the organization was formalized through individual, family, and corporate sponsorships.   An annual banquet has been held in the Kosciusko High School Commons and keynote speakers - including Governors William Winter and Ronnie Musgrove,  State School Superintendent Hank Bounds, and CEO of Netscape, Jim Barksdale - challenged KFEE members to continue their work to enhance academic excellence in Kosciusko.   KFEE has worked closely with the Kosciusko City School leadership and has cooperated financially on many efforts.

Kosciusko Pre-K Graduation - Purple House

What We've Achieved

  • JOINT VENTURE WITH BARKSDALE READING INSTITUTE

    In 2015 KFEE entered a joint venture with the Barksdale Reading Institute to establish a pre-K campus and program at Kosciusko Lower Elementary School.  Dedicated in the fall of 2016, the colorful pre-K village is home to seven classrooms serving a total of  140 students.    Lower Elementary hosts workshops throughout the school year led by the Barksdale Reading Institute.

  • SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS

    KFEE has made scholarships available for Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and STAR Students throughout the years and has encouraged ACT success by providing ACT workshops to prepare students to take this college entrance test. 

  • LEAP CENTER

    The LEAP Center was a major component of KFEE and was endowed through the resources of the Kelly Gene Cook Foundation and Mr. and Mrs. Mike Nelson and Mr. and Mrs. Billy Leonard.   The Sally Barksdale Reading Room was housed at the LEAP Center for many years.  Mrs. Michelle Nowell and Mrs. Carolyn Campbell anchored the LEAP Center, overseeing volunteers and staff in tutoring countless students. This program saw new life during the 2018-2019 school year. The location has moved to the school district’s central office and has had a positive impact on the students being served.

  • CLASSROOM GRANTS

    Classroom grants have been distributed to teachers to supplement their teaching techniques.  These have included grants for library enrichment, science lab and social studies skill enhancement, reading reinforcement.  Thousands of area students have benefitted from these grants.



  • KFEE TRUST ENDOWMENT

    The KFEE Trust was endowed in 1999 by contributions from local leaders including Mr. and Mrs. Marlin Ivey (Ivey Mechanical), Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Leonard, Mr. Hank Johnston, and Mrs. Lee Jennings.

  • LEE JENNINGS SCHOLARSHIP FUND

    The Lee Jennings Scholarship fund was established in 1999 by Mrs. Lee Jennings of Chicago, Illinois in memory of her late husband, Mr. Lee Jennings, a KHS Alum.  Over 75 area teachers were awarded scholarships to enable them to return to school and earn their specialist degrees.

  • GERTRUDE POWER JOHNSTON MATH COMPLEX

    In 1999 KFEE played a key role in the construction of the Gertrude Power Johnston Math complex at the Kosciusko Junior High School.  In his keynote address at the KFEE Annual Banquet in 1996, KHS Alum Hank Johnston issued a challenge to the community to match his significant donation for the construction of this facility made in memory of his mother, Gertrude Power Johnston.  Mrs. Johnston was a beloved, longtime math teacher in the Kosciusko Public School system.