What makes us unique

Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation:

  • Is the only endowment exclusively providing annual supplemental funding to Bartlesville public schools.
  • Works closely with Bartlesville public schools leadership to support programs identified to accelerate student success.
  • Provides grants to local educators and recognizes the careers of outstanding teachers.
  • Was created in 1985 to help Bartlesville public schools maximize and improve the quality of education for its students.
  • Is a publicl- funded affiliate of the Bartlesville Community Foundation.
  • The BPS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Our Mission

We provide financial resources, cultivate community partnerships, and celebrate achievements to engage students, empower teachers, and enrich learning within Bartlesville Public Schools.

Executive Director Blair Ellis

Blair Ellis earned her bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University in Virginia and her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.  She has ten years of experience as an attorney.  Blair and her husband, Chad, moved to Bartlesville from Ithaca, New York, in 2013. Chad is a scientist with Chevron Phillips Chemical Company.

Blair has been involved with the Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation since 2016.  During that time, she served in various roles, including secretary, vice chairman, and chairman of the governance committee. She has been the Foundation’s first executive director since 2017. In 2018 was certified as a Education Foundation Leader by the National School Foundation Association and has presented at several state and national conferences regarding school foundations.  She is a graduate of Leadership Bartlesville, Class of 27.

When Blair is not working, she is spending time outdoors with her husband and their four children.  She currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Bartlesville Redevelopment Trust Authority, Vice President for Bartlesville Rotary Club, and as a board member for the Splash Club.

2023-2024 Board of Governors

The Foundation has 18 civic-minded community leaders who oversee its investments. These Governors also review, award and monitor its grants. The Foundation is an excellent vehicle for individuals who value education and choose to invest their charitable dollars to fund creative and innovative instructional practices to build a better future for our students and our community.

The Board meets at the Education Service Center on the first Wednesday of each month.

Officers

  • Chris Batchelder, Chairman
  • Donna Keffer, Vice Chairman
  • Cindy Wray, Treasurer
  • Nicole McKinney, Secretary

Voting members

  • Nikki Benson
  • Keri Bostwick
  • Kourtney Craig
  • Michael Dennis
  • Bob Fraser
  • Taylor Potter
  • Earl Sears
  • Lori Silver
  • Donna Skelly
  • Aaron Tesavis

Non-voting member

  • Chuck McCauley, Superintendent, Bartlesville Public Schools
  • Kinder Shamhart, Bartlesville Public Schools board member
  • Kelsey Bridges, Bartlesville Public Schools 2023 Teacher of the Year

Site Ambassadors

Each school site has a BPS Foundation board member as an ambassador.  In addition to the BPS Foundation’s executive director, ambassadors are available to answer questions from teachers and administrators at that site.