MSD board vice-president Matt Bucher speaking to an AP Government classroom
On December 5 at Mispillion Elementary School, Milford School District Board of Education Vice-President, Matt Bucher, will provide details on the Buccaneer Educational Foundation (BEF) at 6:30 PM. The program is designed to provide information on the newly formed foundation as well as to recruit volunteers to bring forth the mission of the foundation.
“For many years, even stretching back to the era of Dr. Bob Smith, individuals within the district administration and staff have mentioned the need for a charitable foundation that serves only Milford School District,” Bucher said. “The issue was that the district itself could not organize and incorporate one; it would take a concerned citizen to realize the potential benefits for the children, do the due diligence and take responsibility for firing up such an endeavor.”
Bucher explained that Superintendent Bridget Amory approached him with the idea last summer and he immediately jumped in to see what needed to be done. Bucher conducted research, hired a corporate agent, contacted the IRS and obtained the necessary filings. He also paid for the required fees and services.
“My son, Ethan Lang, an MHS graduate and college senior, helped me with the paperwork and my fellow Milford School Board members, President Scott Fitzgerald and Dr. Adam Brownstein each helped to defray costs. Incidentally, the IRS was very helpful and came through on all their commitments ahead of their own schedule.”
This is not the first educational foundation formed in Sussex County, Bucher explained. In 1999, the Delaware Educational Foundation was formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was originally designed to benefit all districts in Sussex County. The purpose was to raise funds for various educational initiatives. The original board was comprised of members who were mostly educators, living in the Lewes, Rehoboth and Milton area. In 2006, the charter was amended so that the non-profit would only serve Cape Henlopen School District.
“That left Milford and other downstate school districts without a non-profit partner to support their district,” Bucher said.
Bucher stated that Molly Chorman, a teacher in the district, assisted him with his PowerPoint presentation while Trish Gerken, Public Information Officer, helped him appropriate a new logo for the foundation. The mission of the new foundation is “a partnership of educators, parents, business and civic leaders that will engage the entire community to inspire academic rigor, diverse learning opportunities and to help prepare Milford School District students to become well-rounded productive citizens.”
“We plan to accomplish these goals in a number of ways,” Bucher said. “Classroom size grants provide funding for projects that may be outside the budget of curriculum but nonetheless enrich education and give our students opportunities they may not otherwise have. This includes funding for STEM, arts and other programs, classroom resources, and field trips.”
In addition, the foundation plans to defray costs for low income/ needy students for academic competitions and/or travel expenses for these events while also supporting on a case-by-case basis for various extra-budgetary needs in fields such as drama or the arts. There will also be a clearinghouse of third-party grants or gifts that don’t fit into an organized category or donor intention but would fit one or more of the needs students have that are outside the budget but worthwhile.
“I foresee if this endeavor flowers, the foundation may be able to venture into CTE grants for workforce education, or even scholarships,” Bucher said. “Our only limitation is the number, will, dedication and imagination of our volunteers.”
New logo for the Buccaneer Educational Foundation
Fundraising will be paramount to the success of the foundation, Bucher explained.
“Nothing worthwhile can be accomplished without money, and funds cannot be procured without fundraising,” Bucher said. “This is expected to be done by direct appeals through advisory council networks, events and grant applications/grant writing. I am already hearing some great ideas along the lines of events.”
The foundations immediate infrastructure will be a large, diverse and motivated Advisory Council, election of officers which will include a chair, vice-chair, treasurer and secretary as well as the creation of bylaws. Beyond that, the foundation will form committees designed to brainstorm, plan and execute events. They will also work to raise funds and explore grants.
“In short, all the things that a successful non-profit, charitable enterprise needs,” Bucher said. “But we need help. This venture belongs to the community not the district. Therefore, we need buy in from the community. I am looking for folks who want to serve as leaders, officers, volunteers, committee members, event planners, fundraisers and ambassadors to the greater Milford School District community. There are no special skills needed other than the will to help our children and make the district a better place. I f possible, I intend to become a worker bee in this endeavor and am looking for members of the community to direct and take charge.”
Community support for Milford School District has always been strong, even outside city limits, Bucher stated.
“The people of Ellendale, Lincoln, Houston, Milford Neck, Slaughter Beach, Abbott’s Mill and all points in between have always come through for the kids. I have no doubt they will again,” Bucher said. “Because they realize as I do that the vast majority of Milford kids will become Milford citizens and the vast, vast majority of Milford citizens will come from Milford schools. The Buccaneer Educational Foundation is another tool that we, as a community, can use to foster better academic outcomes and a closer relationship with the school district.”
At the program on December 5, Bucher will provide an overview of the mission and goals for the foundation.
“I call on all like-minded individuals in our community who are willing to help take responsibility for our community’s future and the kids within it to join me that evening,” Bucher said. “We will meet for approximately one hour, get some good people in place and make history together.”
For more information, call or text Bucher at 302-462-1962 or email [email protected].
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