New director named for educational foundation

The meeting of the Farmington Educational Foundation earlier this week marked the last one with Dr. David Cramp as executive director.

Taking over as director is a familiar face in the Farmington district. Sally Sullivan-Shinn was chosen by the foundation board to be the executive director after Cramp’s retirement.

Cramp served as director of the foundation for 11 years. This year marks a year of retiring for Cramp. He did not seek re-election for the seat of Presiding Commissioner this year.

The Farmington Educational Foundation is a charitable organization with the purpose of enhancing the educational function of the Farmington School District by providing additional funding to finance special and unique projects that would not otherwise be funded.

The foundation has provided nearly $2 million in support to a variety of programs in the Farmington school district as well as awarding nearly $150,000 in scholarship given through the foundation since 2004.

Before the foundation adjourned for what would be Cramp’s last session, board member Kathy Romine presented a gift to the retiring director on behalf of the board.

Cramp expressed his thanks to the board and reminded the group what the foundation is about.

“The only thing I’ve said repeatedly – and it’s like I told my administrators during my time as superintendent – whatever decision you make, do what is best for kids,” Cramp said to the board members. “If you’ll continue to do that – what is best for the school district and the kids within the school district – you’ll do well.”

The new executive director is no stranger to the Farmington R-7 School District-having spent 39 years with the district as both a student and educator.

“Not only am I a graduate of Farmington High School, but I have also had the privilege of teaching in the district for the majority of my teaching career,” she said.

“I am passionate about the strong traditions of the Farmington School District and look forward to its future progress,” Sullivan-Shinn said. “Farmington Educational Foundation is a catalyst for such progress.”

She credited the work of her predecessor for growing the foundation to what it is today.

“Dr. Cramp has done an outstanding job and I know you are very proud of him,” Sullivan-Shinn told the board. “Whenever I interviewed (for the position) you talked a lot about him and all the accomplishments he made in taking the foundation forward.

“I consider it an honor to serve this foundation. Serving the foundation will allow me to pay forward all that the school district has done to shape my life.”

Sally Sullivan-Shinn, standing, speaks to the Farmington Educational Foundation board during the December meeting. Sullivan-Shinn will become the executive director of the foundation in January. Dr. David Cramp, standing at right, is retiring at the end of this month after 11 years as director.

The board of the Farmington Educational Foundation expressed thanks to retiring Executive Director Dr. David Cramp (center) during the December meeting. New director Sally Sullivan-Shinn (fourth from left) will take over in January. Pictured are (from left) Angie Hahn, Jon Cozean, Ardie Henson, Sullivan-Shinn, Scott Plummer, Cramp, Doug Forsythe, Nancy Silvey, Kathy Romine, Kristi Scott, and Kenny Allen.

Shawnna Robinson is the managing editor of the Farmington Press and can be reached at 573-756-8927 or srobinson@farmingtonpressonline.com