About Avon Education Foundation
Our Community
Mission
Board of Directors
Grant Review Committee
How it Started
The Avon Education Foundation was formed in 2003 through the effort and commitment of Sue Durant. After the town budget constraints began to impact the budget requests of the Board of Education, Sue Durant asked the Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Richard Kiesel, if the town had an education foundation to provide extra funding for the schools. She knew of the value of such foundations in other communities in which she had lived.
When Dr. Kiesel responded that Avon did not have a foundation, but agreed that it was an excellent idea, Ms. Durant contacted the Connecticut Consortium of Education Foundations and attended their workshop on how to start a foundation. She then held an information session at Town Hall and recruited several volunteers who became founding members of the Avon Education Foundation.
Our Community
Mission
To promote and enhance excellence in education in Avon, Connecticut by providing funding for programs that
encourage educational providers in the Avon Public Schools, the Avon Free Public Library, and the Avon Senior Center to initiate innovative and creative learning projects.
To provide independent financial resources for educational initiatives and increase awareness of, involvement in, and support for public education in Avon.
To work in close collaboration with the Avon Public Schools, the Avon Free Public Library, and the Avon Senior Center to support educational programs.
AEF Board of Directors and Members of Grant Review Committee
Directors
Harry Captain, Treasurer
Laura Dambier
Jenna Gray
Charles Harvell, Chair
Devajani Hazarika
Margery Lawrence
Nicole Nunziata
Deb Searson, Board Co-Chair
Norm Sondheimer
Grant Review Committee
Colleen Donahue
Beth Ferrari
Margery Lawrence
Maria Mascoli
Patty Olsen
Cindy Pastore, Co-Chair
Wendy Reynolds
Heather Satlof
Deb Searson, Co-Chair
Norm Sondheimer
Ex-Officio
Dr. Bridget Carnemolla, Superintendent, Avon Public Schools
Deb Chute, Chair, Avon Board of Education
Jon Moss, President, Avon Education Association
In the Fall of 2022, AEF awarded a grant to Jennifer Malz and Alexander Mancini at Avon High School. Their project, “Starting Grounds,” established a student operated coffee delivery service for teachers and staff at the high school. Students benefited from vocational training in receiving and fulfilling orders, working with money, following multi-step directions, and collaborating with others.
