Annual Report 2019-20 (1)

ANNUAL REPORT
2019-2020
The Council Bluffs Schools Foundation mission is to provide
financial resources and support to benefit the children, families,
and staff of the Council Bluffs Community School District.

LEADERSHIP
Chris LaFerla
Executive Director
Bridgette Watson
Director of Developement
Mia Laustrup
Director of STARS Scholarship
Greg Smith,
Director of Kids & Company
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeff Coats, President
Ashley Kruse, Vice President
Nicole Hughes, Treasurer
Erin Johnon
Jill Killion
Judy Guttau
Diane Ostrowski
Mark Schuldt
Susan Riley
Tom Hanafan
Dr. Vickie Murillo, Ex Officio

A NOTE
FROM CHRIS
According to Wikipedia, an annual report is a comprehensive
report on a company's activities throughout the preceding year.
Annual reports are intended to give shareholders and other
interested people information about the company's activities and
financial performance. They may be considered as grey literature.
Most jurisdictions require companies to prepare and disclose
annual reports, and many require the annual report to be filed at
the company's registry. Companies listed on a stock exchange
are also required to report at more frequent intervals (depending
upon the rules of the stock exchange involved).
Other information deemed relevant to stakeholders may be
included, such as a report on operations for manufacturing firms
or corporate social responsibility reports for companies with
environmentally or socially sensitive operations. In the case of
larger companies, it is usually a sleek, colorful, high-gloss
publication.
A N N I E L O N G H U R N
Executive Director

SUPPORTING
Highlights from the
Emergency Childcare
Collaborative
$50,000
Donated to cover the cost of service
for participating famlies
Alumni and Friends
Network steps-up
when Blast From the
Past is canceled due
to COVID-19
The Alumni and Friends Committee was blown
away by the support after the annual Blast From the
Past was canceled due to COVID-19.
900
Thanks to the generosity of so many of you, the
Alumni and Friends Committee is happy to report
$3,915 was raised to support the children, families,
and staff of the Council Bluffs Community School
District.
Free meals served to children who attended
50
Number of community partners
In addition to supporting the Network financially,
many Alumni sent in comments to show love and
support to teachers during teacher appreciation
week. Proud Alumnus, Bill Havekost said, "Rue
Elementary was an incredible foundation of
academic, social and mental health support for me.
All of the teachers were excellent, but Mrs.
Fulkerson in the 5th grade 1968-69 was a game
changer for me. She taught me not only the basics,
but how to excel in school. Thank you to all the
teachers."
$3,915
Donated by Alumni and Friends when the
Annual Blast from the Past event was canceled

STARS
SCHOLARSHIP
An Iowa West Foundation Initiative
Enrollment
STARS Scholarship, funded by the Iowa West
Foundation, supports parents in Pottawattamie
County on their path to a job that pays a livable
wage by providing financial assistance, career
planning, and other supports.
60
40
This year the program served over 50 scholars and
awarded nearly _____ in assistance.
20
0
Alumni Spotlight
Fall 2018
Spring 2019
Fall 2019
Spring 2020
Molly Richardson, 2017-20
Molly Richardson was a STARS Scholar from 2017-
2020. She is married with four children, three still
living in the household. Upon application, Molly was a
childcare provider with a local childcare center here in
Council Bluffs, IA, receiving $11.80/hr. and her annual
household income was under $45,000. When her
youngest child started elementary school she was
motivated to further her education to better support
her family. Molly received a bachelor’s of arts from
Buena Vista University’s satellite location on the Iowa
Western Community College campus. Molly’s biggest
challenge was no longer being able to work while
completing her practicum in spring 2020..
Molly says, “Having STARS assistance with living expenses, licensure fees and support during her student
teaching practicum would have been impossible to complete and I will be forever indebted to the program
and thankful for experience while being a part of the program”. Molly is currently a kindergarten teacher
within the Council Bluffs Community School District and her household income has increased over 50%.
Molly is one example of how the STARS program impacts our community and strengthens our

KIDS &
COMPANY
Kids & Company provides Caring childcare for children in elementary and middle school, supporting working
families by offering before and after school care, as well as full day services during out of school days.

Alumni and
Friends

Scholarships

Scholarships

Providing financial resources and support to benefit the
children, families, and staff of the Council Bluffs Community
School District.
cbsf.org
300 W. Broadway, Suite 212
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Foundation@cbsf.org