PRESS RELEASE: Great Falls Public Schools Foundation

July 9, 2018

Local firm provides major gift to CMR STEM Building

D. A. Davidson Companies, working in conjunction with the Foundation, will donate $150,000 for equipment and signage at the C. M. Russell High School (CMR) STEM Building.

D. A. Davidson Companies are strong supporters of public education in Great Falls. Their employees serve on the Foundation Board providing leadership and support.  They actively participate in the truck raffle and donate the lay-out of the Foundation annual report.

The contribution came with a request for signage on the outside of the STEM Building. The signage will be near the STEM Building entrance – “STEM Center Supported by D. A. Davidson Companies.

Construction and refurbishment of GFPS facilities resulting from the $99 million bond levy passage has generated interest from community members to make donations to enhance the new buildings and remodels further. Donations often come with a request for recognizing the donation with the names of the donors.

The Foundation has recently facilitated these type of gifts for the soccer field at Memorial Stadium, Giant Springs Elementary School Media Center, and CMR Fitness Center.

Great Falls Public Schools (GFPS) Board held a special board meeting to consider a naming request from the GFPS Foundation.

GFPS Board Policy 8451 – Naming of Buildings and Grounds, allows a sponsor to request the naming of a district facility.

A standing committee, appointed by the Superintendent, evaluated the naming request and made a recommendation to the District Board.

The request to recognize the significant contribution to enhance the CMR STEM Building by placing signage with donor names caused Superintendent Lacey to appoint a Naming Committee, which was chaired by Foundation Executive Director Dave Crum.

A STEM education is important because it increases the students’ understanding of how things work and improves their use of technology. STEM education increases problem-solving skills, critical thinking, analytical thinking, and better real-world connections to the curriculum.