The Danville Public School Foundation has a new executive director in Stephanie Yates, who will begin work in her new role today.
Yates began her work with the Foundation in September 2023 as the development director. In July of 2024, she was named codirector alongside former executive director Bob Richard, who retired this year.
In her new role, Yates said she is looking forward to continuing the Foundation’s ongoing work of providing funding for creative, challenging, and fun projects that directly impact the students and teachers of Danville Public Schools.
“We want the teachers to be able to dream big for their students,” she said.
The DPSF empowers teachers by supplying them with materials that they request to help them provide a better education to their students.
“If a teacher has something that they would like to add to their classroom to enhance learning for their students, something that’s above and beyond the average or normal curriculum, we provide a bucket of funding for the students or the class,” Yates said.
Requests can be made for many different types of things, beyond traditional classroom materials, Yates said.
“Maybe they went to a conference, and they saw something that they really loved, or maybe they saw something online. It could be a school-wide assembly. It could be new technology. If they see something that is just really something that they want, they can request that of the foundation, and that’s where we step in,” Yates said.
The DPSF has previously installed a greenhouse at a school, as well as provided digital interactive playgrounds in seven different schools across the district, Yates said.
“This year, we’re really going to be able to do a lot to serve our schools,” Yates said. “Due to some budget constraints, we are getting so many requests from the teachers. So, I really look forward to the impact it will make for the students in the 10 schools that we serve.”
The DPSF depends on donations to keep going, and there are various opportunities to donate throughout the year.
Depending on the dollar amount of their donation, donors can be honored with an engraved plaque located in the main hallway at Danville High School or have a brick with their name on it installed in the Walk of Honor walkway leading to DHS. Bricks can be purchased to honor a graduate, teacher, or as a memorial to friends and family.
Donors can also benefit the foundation by donating just $1 a day through the foundation’s 365 Club.
Every spring, the DPSF hosts a banquet to kick off this program, Yates said.
To donate to the DPSF, visit their website at www.dpsf.org/donor-opportunities.