The McKenzie Education Foundation

Here to inspire learning, enhance teaching, and improve educational opportunities for students and community of the McKenzie River Schools.

About the McKenzie Education Foundation​

Continuing a twenty-year history, McKenzie Education Foundation (MEF)  supports educational projects for the residents of the McKenzie River Valley. The McKenzie River Community School, a public charter school, of approximately 200 K-12 students. The charter school focuses on place-based education and is located on the picturesque fire-ravaged McKenzie River. This title 1 district has innovative strong individualized instruction for our students. Our graduation rate is among the highest in Lane County. Many students make the honor roll, and more than ever are enrolling in post-secondary institutions.

MEF receives funding from foundations, organizations, individuals and raises funds through local activities.  These funds are dedicated to supporting extra educational projects.

MEF has helped finance such things as online foreign language classes, musical instruments field trips, supplemental curricula and classroom equipment.

Who We are​

MEF Board Members are volunteers dedicated to making the McKenzie School and community a special place for learning. ​Kathy Keable, Margaret Beilharz, Elaine Bryson, Gerry Aster, Lacey Joy, and Bill Burwell are Board members.  Volunteers Sarah Hunter and Lane Tompkins work closely with MEF to identify and implement special projects. 

Suggestions or opinions?

Email your thoughts to us at [email protected] or via the Contact Us page in the top menu.

Fundraising​

Are you interested in education? You can be part of supporting the students of McKenzie School District by being part of MEF..We welcome you to our online meetings as we discuss funding special projects proposed by the staff of the school. If you are interested in this, or interested in volunteering to be on the Board Please send us an email ([email protected]) and Elaine Bryson will contact you.  We usually meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 4 pm.

What We Do

In 2022 we are supporting the school as they offer Comprehensive Distance Learning to students spread out over 50 miles.

For pre-schoolers at home, MEF ensures they get their hands on books at an early age, with the help of the Imagination Libary.

The Wildfire Collection is a project to remember and learn from the events of the wildfire that burned homes and forests throughout the McKenzie River watershed in September of 2020.