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ABOUT US

The Jackson Local Schools Foundation

The Jackson Local Schools Foundation (JLSF) is an independent organization of local volunteers that works to promote educational achievement, encourage instructional innovation and create excitement about learning. The JLSF is a non-profit, charitable organization that seeks tax-deductible donations from citizens, businesses and organizations to further the excellence in Jackson Local Schools. 

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JLSF runs two main fundraising events - The Polar Bear Plunge and The Jackson Polar Bear Chip-In. We have a classroom grant program that puts money directly back into our schools, The Polar Bear Pledge to grow our endowment, a partnership with Stark State College Foundation - The Polar Bear Promise - to award an annual scholarship to Stark State College students who are Jackson High School graduates, and we recently merged with the Jackson Alumni Association.

Board of Directors

JLSF is managed by an independent, volunteer Board of Directors.

 

Board of Directors

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  • Jon Basso - Treasurer

  • Paula Blangger

  • Dustin Burgess

  • Holly Davies

  • Kody Gonzalez - President

  • Justin Hardesty - Past President

  • Adam Hufstetler

  • Jennifer Jones - Secretary

  • Jill Kaempf - 2nd Vice President

  • Barry Mason

  • Rob Molnar - 1st Vice President

  • Tim Moore

  • Monica Myers

  • Todd Porter

  • Megan Seeley

  • Eric Smer

  • Tonya Wright

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Jim Camp Visionary Leader Award

  • 2023 - Ken Douglas

  • 2022 - Unity in the Community Co-Chairs: Janelle Winkhart, Susie Gindlesberger, and Jennifer Herold

  • 2021 - Marian Manns

  • 2020 - Jim Camp

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President Gonzalez and Vice President Molnar

Why a Foundation?

 

In the U.S. there are 6,500 school foundations in over 14,500 school districts. Most Stark County school districts have had foundations for decades. A growing group of Jackson citizens is passionate about building an endowment for Jackson that perpetuates the excellence and provides educational promise beyond what the school district can provide.

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