About the Foundation

Our History

The Tullahoma Educational Foundation for Excellence was founded on November 16, 1988 as a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) by nine residents of the city of Tullahoma. Their goal was to advance the pursuit of excellence in public education for the Tullahoma City Schools by providing financial resources for projects not funded by the system.

The original organizers were: Barbara Franks, Fran Marcum, R.W. Hensel, Charlotte Parrish, Dr. William J Sanders, IV, Dr. Claude C. Snoddy, Elden B. Thoma, II, Dr. Susan Wu and Dr. M. Williams.

The initial funding came from charitable donations. In 1997, an endowment fund was created with the goal to raise $1M–ensuring a steady stream of funding using the investment income.

Projects are submitted annually by each school and provided to the board by the TCS superintendent for approval. Since inception, the foundation has funded hundreds of projects as well as the annual Teacher and Support Staff of the Year awards.

Photo: Matt Layton, Treasurer, presents financial status to the board.

Board Officers

Jim Woodard, President
Beth Welsh, Vice President
Matt Layton, Treasurer
Jack Thoma, Secretary
Joe Lester, Historian

Catherine Stephens, TCS Superintendent

Board members

Dr. Collin Bills
Dr. Stephen Bills
Lane Curlee
Katie Davenport
Jan Dent
Jordan Ennis
Jim Henry
Dr. Gregory Muse
Jordan Ennis
Elizabeth Jordan
Devry Lamb
Fran Marcum
Catherine Murray
Trent McNabb
Dr. Matt Nichols
Charles Parish
Gigi Robison
Mike Rutherford
Busch Thoma
Jack Thoma
Clay Uselton
Daryl Welch