By PHIL OSBORNE

Danville Schools Education Foundation

Hi, my name is Phil Osborne and I am the executive director for the Danville Schools Education Foundation. The Advocate-Messenger has been kind enough to allow me a little space from time to time to talk about what is happening with the foundation. We’re grateful.

The single biggest question I’m getting from the community and from the schools is, “What has happened to Dancing with the Danville Stars?”

DWTDS will live on next March. The annual event, the single largest fundraiser for the foundation, has historically been held in November. When the show comes back on March 2, it will also return to its roots as an evening of local celebrity dancers performing on stage at Gravely Hall.

We’re exploring a number of options, including using alumni from one class to challenge another, getting local leaders in the business community to participate, and even exploring some celebrities in the news and entertainment industries from elsewhere.

With all of the changes at the schools this fall, it made more sense to delay it.

I am referring to the grand opening of the newly renovated Toliver building, and relocating Hogsett to Jennie Rogers while construction continues at the Hogsett site. Plus, there have been some personnel changes, including hiring Dr. Tammy Shelton as the new superintendent, promoting Sherri Satterly from principal at Bate Middle School to assistant superintendent and, most recently, hiring Dr. Chris Murray as the new Bate principal.

The board and volunteers are excited to offer this evening of fun, while raising money to support the foundation’s work. Anyone who would like to participate as a dance team can contact me at central office.

I am not a stranger to Danville. I lived in the area for more than 25 years, and am moving back after a few years in Lexington. I’m excited about it, but more excited about working with the foundation and getting its story out into the community. Last week, for example, I met with the Danville Rotary Club. This week, I will speak at Kiwanis. If your civic club, service organization, or other community groups would like to hear more about the foundation’s work, I will be happy to make myself available.

We have a lot going on right now: recruiting for DWTDS, auctioning a DHS championship game ball, preparing for Giving Tuesday on Nov. 27, and launching a new website. We have much more to do in the months ahead of us.

If you ever have questions about the foundation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me. You can reach my at phil.osborne@danville.kyschools.us or posborne@danvilleschoolsfoundation.org.

We’ll chat again soon. Thank you!