Baker County Education Foundation
2024-2025 BCEF Scholarship Recipients
Thank You for Supporting Our Seniors!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the many generous businesses, families, and friends who donated to the Baker County Education Foundation. Your support made it possible to award scholarships to our deserving 2024–2025 seniors! Click here to view the full list of BCEF scholarship recipients.
Leaving A Legacy
The Baker County Education Foundation is pleased to announce the honorees for the 14th annual Leaving a Legacy Scholarship Dinner:
- Mr. Bobby and Mrs. Karen Harrison
- Mrs. Joyce Ruise
- Dr. George and Mrs. Patricia Weeks
Mr. Bobby Harrison and Mrs. Karen Harrison
Both Mr. and Mrs. Harrison retired after many years of service in the Baker County School District. Coach Harrison was a teacher, coach, and athletic director at BCHS. He has most recently served as a driver's education instructor. Mrs. Karen Harrison taught in multiple roles over the years at BCHS, ultimately concluding her service as a guidance secretary at the middle school.
Mrs. Joyce Ruise
Mrs. Ruise began her career in 1977 at Baker County High School as the front desk receptionist. She later moved to Westside Elementary, where she served until her retirement. She has been recognized in the past as the District School-Related Employee of the Year for her outstanding work ethic, kindness, and professionalism.
Dr. George and Mrs. Patricia Weeks
Mrs. Patricia Weeks was elected to the Baker County School Board in 1992. Over her 28-year tenure, she played an integral role in advancing our district, particularly with the development of policies and procedures that remain in place today. She was a passionate advocate for various school programs, including AFJROTC, agriculture, and pre-kindergarten education.
Dr. George Weeks served our community for over 40 years through his dental practice. He was a staunch supporter of our public schools and helped implement dental education programs in elementary schools. Dr. Weeks volunteered his time teaching and reading to students, and he assisted many families in need by providing free dental care.
All of these individuals have made remarkable contributions to the Baker County School District.
The Leaving a Legacy Scholarship steak dinner will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 6:30 PM in the cafeteria at Legacy Elementary School. Tickets are available for $40 per person. All tickets must be purchased prior to the day of the event. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Superintendent's Office at 904-259-0404 or 904-259-0428. Proceeds from this event will go toward student scholarships.
Previous recipients of the Leaving A Legacy Scholarship:
Kim Brannan, Clemmytee Daniels, Tom Covington, JoAnne Covington, Mary Finley, Mary Jo Thomas, Joyce Weldon, Ronnie Kirkland, Tim Starling, Harold Milton, Fay Milton, Alice Fay Sinclair, Jack Williams, Veda Dopson, Dr. Gary Dopson, Marilyn Raulerson, Glenn McKendree, Sharon Boyette, Don Boyette, Athena Gail Brown, LuAnne Williams, Pete Harvey, John Kennedy, Paula T. Barton, Tim Thrift, Judy Webb, Dwight Crews, Dwight Harris, JC Lyons, Robin Mobley, Gail Griffis, Dean Griffis, Marcelle Richardson, David Richardson, Greg Lyons, and Clay Lyons.
BCEF Annual Report
The Baker County Education Foundation had another great year in 2023-24! The Foundation provided $42,251.00 for student scholarships, $2,500.00 for prior graduate scholarships, $23,341.81 in grants for teachers and schools, and $263,475.07 for special projects. A total of $331,567.88 was awarded in 2023-2024.
During the last 35 years, the Foundation, a non-profit organization, has funded 949 student scholarships, 210 employee and/or prior graduate scholarships, 572 grants for teachers and schools, and 65 special projects, totaling $1,980,093.40. A tremendous amount of this was made possible through payroll deduction by school employees.
The Baker County Education Foundation was originally founded in 1989 with school district employees being the original contributors through payroll deductions. Payroll contributions remains the main source of funding for the Foundation. The number of employees contributing to the Foundation has grown each year with a total of 286 employees contributing during the 2023-2024 year and giving a total of $17,596.00. The generosity of our school employees throughout the district, which includes instructional, non-instructional, and administrative personnel, has enabled our Foundation to be a great success in our community.
The main goal of the Baker County Education Foundation is to promote quality education. Through the years, a number of organizations, business partners, individual donors and families have participated in helping the Foundation achieve these goals. The Foundation is very proud of the accomplishments it has achieved through their support and financial contributions.
If you are a contributor, we hope that you will continue your support of the Foundation. If you are not involved, please consider becoming a member this year. You will be supporting the development of our greatest assets, our children. Also, the Foundation benefits from the purchase of specialty education vehicle tags. A portion of the tag sale is returned to the Foundation.
Again, we thank all of our supporters of the Baker County Education Foundation. We contribute our success to the commitment that each of you have given to our organization. Our employees have made us what we are today!
REMEMBER, YOUR CONTRIBUTION IS TAX DEDUCTIBLE!
Promoting Educational Partnerships Between The Home, The School, and The Community
Consortium of Florida Education Foundations
The Baker County Education Foundation, Inc. is a member of the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations (CFEF). This organization provides support through matching grant funding.
Specialty Education License Plate
For every educational specialty license plate purchased in Baker County, the Baker County Education Foundation, Inc. receives $20 from the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles.
If you are interested in making a donation to the foundation, checks should be made payable to the Baker County Education Foundation and mailed to 270 South Boulevard East, Macclenny, FL 32063.
Department Contacts
Thomas Hill
Associate Superintendent
of Human Resources
270 South Blvd East
Macclenny, Florida 32063
thomas.hill@bakerk12.org
Phone: (904) 259-0428
Amy Stalvey
Secretary
392 South Blvd East
Macclenny, Florida 32063
amy.stalvey@bakerk12.org
Phone: (904) 259-0449
