Tim Hale, Chairman of the Board with the LCSD2 Education Foundation, called into the Weekday Wake-Up on Monday, January 12. Hale touched on this year’s scholarship drive and an update on the Gateway Program.

(0:00) Joining me live over the phone right now this morning (0:02) is Tim Hale, chairman of the board (0:04) with the LCSD2 Education Foundation. (0:07) Tim, good morning, how are you doing today? (0:10) Hey, Duke, I’m doing great, how are you today? (0:12) Hey, fantastic, appreciate you hopping (0:14) on the air with us today. (0:15) And once every three or so months, (0:17) I like to have you on the air to chat (0:18) about the Education Foundation, what’s happening.

(0:21) And as we head into 2026, I’m assuming (0:24) the foundation’s full bore ahead (0:26) on its scholarship drives for the year, correct? (0:29) Oh, yeah, yeah, absolutely. (0:31) We are all guns blazing right now. (0:34) We have Kim Dockstader, our director of the foundation, (0:38) who’s just doing a fantastic job.

(0:40) So she’s out there reaching out (0:42) to both our previous business and community donors, (0:46) as well as anyone new who may be interested (0:49) in finding ways to support our graduating seniors (0:53) across the LCSD2 school district. (0:56) So, yes, we’re working hard on that. (0:59) Kim just does a fantastic job.

(1:02) We raised close to $150,000 last year for these scholarships (1:06) and that’s been at or around $100,000 or more (1:11) pretty consistently for quite a few years (1:15) in the time we’ve been doing this. (1:16) So it’s really become quite a legacy thing that we do (1:21) and a wonderful way for the community (1:23) to support graduating seniors from the school district. (1:26) So we’re really excited to continue going with this program (1:29) and all the fruits that we see (1:32) from getting a leg up to these graduating kids.

(1:36) Just a couple items to reiterate. (1:37) First, it is school district-wide, right? (1:39) So not just Star Valley High School, (1:40) but also includes Coteville and Swift Creek. (1:43) Yes, absolutely, yeah.

(1:45) We are absolutely focused district-wide, (1:48) not just Star Valley, even though that’s where me (1:51) and our director and other board members are based. (1:54) We actually have a great board representation (1:56) down in Coteville with Jan Moody on our board. (1:59) So, and then of course, Swift Creek.

(2:00) We open ourselves up to scholarships there. (2:04) We love our Swift Creek High kids. (2:06) So any graduating senior across the district (2:09) can apply for these scholarships.

(2:11) And this is something where you can do (2:12) as an individual or a business, is that correct? (2:16) Yeah, that’s right. (2:17) We have plenty of business donors (2:21) who are just looking for ways to support kids. (2:25) And in some cases, those business donors, (2:27) they come to us and say, (2:29) hey, you’re not really like a scholarship (2:31) to target maybe the finance world or the sciences, (2:35) or could you open the scholarship up to anyone? (2:39) But I’m particularly interested in finding (2:41) a student who’s pursuing studies in the sciences (2:46) or in entrepreneurship.

(2:48) So we can cater and tailor that to that. (2:50) And oftentimes our business owners (2:51) are looking for that sort of nuance in what they offer. (2:55) But of course, we accept general scholarships (2:59) from business owners, as well as individuals, (3:02) our family trusts, anyone in the community (3:06) who’s interested in helping and supporting us (3:09) by supporting these students.

(3:11) We are open to that. (3:12) So yeah, it doesn’t matter who you are, (3:16) how big your donation is, if it’s $5 or $10, (3:21) we get those funds as a charitable donation, (3:25) potentially tax deductible, (3:28) and find ways to pass it on to our kids. (3:31) What is the best way for someone to learn more (3:34) or even make a donation? (3:37) Yeah, the best way is to reach out to Kim Dockstader.

(3:41) She really runs the program. (3:44) She knows all the particulars around how she can, (3:49) around how people can participate. (3:51) So she’s the best contact there.

(3:52) I’m sorry, I don’t have her phone number (3:54) right in front of me. (3:54) Otherwise I would read it off, but- (3:56) Well, I can’t say, you can probably call us at SPI. (3:59) We might be able to track her down for you.

(4:00) Yes, yes, that’s right, absolutely. (4:03) And for those who know me in the community, (4:06) it’s a small town. (4:07) So between me, people who know me and people who know Kim, (4:11) I think you’ll be able to find us.

(4:13) So please reach out if you have any questions. (4:16) If people call me, I’ll probably defer, (4:18) refer you over to Kim to answer more of those details. (4:22) So we’re just thrilled and love this program.

(4:26) It’s always such a thrill, by the way, (4:27) to see those students on stage in May, (4:31) as the school year is wrapped up, (4:33) receiving those scholarships. (4:34) And it’s absolutely incredible (4:36) how much just this opportunity is provided (4:41) to these students through, (4:42) not just this scholarship program, (4:44) but you go to that award assembly. (4:45) I mean, there are scholarships coming (4:46) from the four corners of the earth, it feels like, (4:49) between different businesses and different universities (4:53) and so on.

(4:55) So it’s such an impressive group of kids (4:58) between Cokeville, Swift Creek, and Star Valley High. (5:02) Tim Hale, chairman of the board (5:03) for the LCSD2 Education Foundation. (5:05) On the weekday wake up this morning, (5:06) Tim, what else is happening (5:07) with the foundation worth mentioning today? (5:10) Yeah, we’ve just been seeing some great success (5:14) in a couple other areas.

(5:16) We’ve recently expanded our board. (5:18) So we’ve added two new board members (5:21) who are just really fantastic people in the community, (5:24) connected to the schools (5:25) and have children in the school district. (5:29) So that’s Chantal Johnson, as well as Lisa Linford.

(5:32) So they’ve joined our board (5:34) within the last couple of months (5:35) and they’ve just been a wonderful addition. (5:38) And then we’re really excited. (5:41) Krista Hershey has recently completed (5:44) her master’s degree in statistics, (5:47) which is sort of a pilot program that we started (5:51) where we essentially identify a field (5:55) or fields within LCSD2 (5:59) where we can offer classes for students (6:04) who are interested in pursuing additional college credit (6:08) and maybe even working toward an associate’s degree (6:10) through high school.

(6:12) So a gap that we had found was in math (6:15) and particularly statistics, (6:17) which we connected with Krista Hershey, a teacher, (6:20) and we were able to say, (6:21) hey, would you like to pilot this program with us (6:24) where we essentially help to fund your master’s degree (6:28) in order to be able to offer those additional classes (6:31) to students that they can earn for college credit. (6:34) So Krista passed all of her classes with flying colors (6:37) and is now right in that program (6:39) where she can offer those classes, (6:42) particularly in the field of statistics to other students (6:45) and they can therefore earn that college credit. (6:47) So we’re continuing with that program.

(6:50) It’s well-funded by generous donors in the community. (6:53) And so we’re looking for the next opportunity (6:56) to find some teachers (6:58) who specifically fit the classes we need, right? (7:01) There are plenty who are interested (7:04) in pursuing a master’s degree, (7:05) but they may not necessarily be in the field (7:08) that we really wanna focus on (7:10) where we see the gaps within the district. (7:13) So specifically around the sciences, for example, (7:17) math, computer science, (7:19) these are the areas where we need (7:21) some more opportunity to find teachers (7:24) who are interested in pursuing a master’s degree (7:27) and continuing to teach so that they can offer (7:30) those advanced credits to our high school students.

(7:34) Tim, this Gateway Program was announced just recently, (7:37) the last couple of years. (7:38) How many teachers has this program (7:42) helped get that master’s degree (7:43) to further along this Gateway Program? (7:46) Yeah, Krista has been the first one. (7:48) So it’s taken us some time to kind of work through, (7:52) you know, figuring out how we want to approach it, (7:54) to identify an appropriate teacher, (7:57) to meet together as a board (7:58) and identify what are the key areas, right? (8:01) Like I’d mentioned, (8:02) what are the key fields that we actually need folks? (8:04) Because again, we have people who are interested (8:06) in some other areas, (8:08) but that may not necessarily be our need (8:10) at the current time.

(8:13) So Krista’s the first, (8:15) she really came through with, you know, (8:18) glowing reviews and just did an exceptional job (8:21) academically and is now able to offer that. (8:24) So we’re keeping our eyes and ears open (8:25) for kind of finding that right fit, right? (8:28) Between, okay, we have the funding, (8:30) we know this program can work well. (8:33) So what are the needs that we have academically? (8:36) And then what teacher opportunities are out there (8:40) that are interested in pursuing that master’s degree (8:43) so that we can help those students get those credits? (8:45) Love it.

(8:45) Tim Hale, chairman of the board (8:46) with the LCSD2 Education Foundation (8:48) on the Weekday Wake Up this morning. (8:49) Anything else you’d like to mention today? (8:52) Oh, I just want to give a nod, of course, (8:55) to you, Duke, and the SCI team (8:57) for giving us this opportunity (8:59) to share some things on the radio. (9:01) And then just to thank our community.

(9:04) I mean, this is such a wonderful privilege (9:08) to be involved in the foundation. (9:10) I’m coming up on, I think, eight years or so, (9:13) and it’s just been a real treat to rub shoulders (9:16) with the incredible board that we serve with, (9:19) including Superintendent Erickson, (9:22) Jason Horsey with the school district. (9:24) They’re just fantastic, (9:25) so supportive of what we’re trying to do.

(9:28) And then just the community. (9:30) I mean, I love January. (9:32) It’s kind of, I’m not necessarily a goal-setter, Duke, (9:34) but I love the idea of new beginnings, right? (9:37) And January feels that way.

(9:39) And so for anyone that’s interested in finding out (9:42) what are some new ways that I can participate (9:46) and help our community, (9:48) I think finding some way to either donate (9:51) or to otherwise be involved in something like the foundation (9:54) or any other community effort can really go a long way. (9:57) So I would just leave with that pitch, as it were, (10:02) the invitation for people to get involved (10:05) and to thank those who have given to us at the foundation (10:09) in such a tremendous way, (10:10) both financially and donation of their time and energies. (10:14) It’s really soft and deeply appreciated.

(10:16) Tim Hale, chairman of the board (10:17) with the LCSD2 Education Foundation. (10:20) You can reach out to Tim or another board member (10:22) for more details. (10:23) You can always visit lcsd2foundation.org. (10:25) That’s the number two, lcsd2foundation.org. (10:29) Tim, thanks so much for your time.

(10:30) We’ll touch base soon. (10:32) Sounds great. (10:32) Thank you, Duke.

(10:33) It’s all part of the weekday wake up this morning on SVI Radio.