The Highland Park Education Foundation presented a $1.8 million gift to Highland Park ISD during the Aug. 26 school board meeting, marking a continued commitment to supporting teacher and staff salaries districtwide for the 2024-2025 school year.
The Highland Park Education Foundation (HPEF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that aims to preserve and enrich the quality of education throughout HPISD. This contribution was made possible by the success of Mad for Plaid, HPEF’s annual districtwide campaign focused on addressing HPISD’s most critical and immediate needs. This year, the district’s greatest need was teacher and staff salaries.
The Mad for Plaid campaign was co-chaired by Rich Rosalez and Julie Lin.
“We’ve supported this initiative for years because we know firsthand the difference it makes for our students and educators,” Rosalez said. “Volunteering in this role has been an incredible opportunity to help sustain and strengthen the teaching talent that defines Highland Park ISD.”
More than 2,000 donors — including parents, grandparents, alumni, and local supporters — came together to raise the funds, reinforcing the community’s dedication to excellence in public education.
Scott Drillette, HPISD assistant superintendent for business services, said the district was deeply grateful for the $1.8 million gift.
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“Paying competitive salaries is the district’s greatest need and the district has budgeted for a minimum of a 7% overall salary increase for all district employees for the 2025-26 school year, while more tenured teachers will receive as much as a 10% salary increase,” he said. “The new salaries help our teachers rank in the top quartile for pay among other school districts in North Texas.”
Looking ahead, the Foundation has committed to matching this contribution with another $1.8 million gift for the 2025–2026 school year. The next Mad for Plaid campaign launches this October.
