The Westlake High School Technical Entertainment Crew became the first recipient of Eanes ISD’s newly established Kathryn and Beau Ross Excellence in Education Fund Jan. 24.

“A few months ago former trustee Beau Ross and his wife, Kathryn, approached me with an idea about giving back to the district in a unique way,” Superintendent Tom Leonard said at a board of trustees meeting Jan. 24. “The result of those discussions culminated into what is now called the Kathryn and Beau Ross Excellence in Education Fund.”

The fund, which is not application-based, recognizes exceptional service provided to EISD students by programs or staff, he said.

EISD accepted a $60,000 donation from the Ross family to establish the fund at a meeting Nov. 15.

“I want to express our deepest appreciation of Kathryn and Beau Ross for recognizing our talented staff and students,” WTEC Director and founder David Poole said.  “We will put these funds to good use.”

After five years on the EISD board, Beau Ross resigned his post as a trustee Sept. 20 due to health reasons.

“[The Ross family’s] generosity will have an incredible impact on our students now and in the years to come,” Leonard said.