During her time in Fort Thomas and FTIS, Byrd worked with special education, gifted education,attendance, and federal compliance – as well as with school counseling services, food services, nursingservices, school support services and the senior seminar program. “Although I’m originally from westernKentucky, I was working as a consultant for the KY Department of Education in Frankfort when offered a position with the Fort Thomas Independent Schools,” says Byrd. “I had the privilege of working either directly or indirectly with all certified and classified staff. Plus, I had many opportunities to interact directly with students, parents and other professionals in northern Kentucky.”Byrd plans to continue make an impact on the school system and community as a member of theEducation Foundation’s 1891 Legacy Society, a group named after the year of the school’s first graduating class and a signifier of the over 100 years of service the school has brought our community.

Giving back to others is something paramount to Byrd in terms of helping bring opportunities to thosewho follow her. “My fatheralways said that an education was the vehicle to a successful, self-reliant life– something that couldn’t be taken away,” Byrd explains.“My sisters and I pursued careers in nursingand education. We’ve made contributions to our professions & communities. Our parents and teachers deserve credit for the positive encouragement and high expectations we experienced from early life.”You can help to preserve the many lasting legacies and traditions of the school system by naming theFort Thomas Education Foundation as a beneficiary of your will, real estate or life insurance policy. For families which have benefited for generations from an education of the Fort Thomas IndependentSchools, there’s truly no greater way to give back to the institution which has meant so much to so many people over the years.

You can help to preserve the many lasting legacies and traditions of the school system by naming the Fort Thomas Education Foundation as a beneficiary of your will, real estate or life insurance policy. For families which have benefited for generations from an education of the Fort Thomas IndependentSchools, there’s truly no greater way to give back to the institution which has meant so much to so many people over the years.

You can become a member of the FTEF’s valuable 1891 Legacy Society in a number of ways, including:

-Leave the FTEF a stated dollar amount in your will or trust.

-Leave a percentage of your residual estate (what remains after gifts to loved ones and expenses havebeen paid in your trust to the FTEF

-Name a specific asset, such as securities of other marketable property, in your will or trust-Name the FTEF as a beneficiary on your retirement account or life insurance policy. This is a simple, and powerful way to support the FTEF without changing your will or living trust.

“As a firm believer in education I want the Fort Thomas Independent Schools to maintain its focus on high expectations for all students regardless of the post-secondary paths they choose,” Byrd says. “Oneway of supporting that outcome is to make a financial investment. I see the 1891 Legacy Society as away of offering a wide variety of programs for students with diverse interests, aspirations and abilities. I encourage anyone who has a vested interest in excellence in education to support their local schools financially. It is money well spent.”