Mission Statement:

To create a lifetime experience for the Lee Community by establishing a community resource that enhances safety, physical health and recreation for students, faculty, parents and neighbors while enriching the educational experience of Lee students and preserving the historical school as an educational treasure.

Founding Board Members 1997:

Tom Adelson, Hal Lewis, Karen Kelley, Jim Rusher, Claire Trinidad

Original mission:

Raise funds via a mail campaign to Lee Alumni and influential donors in the City of Tulsa.  Originally raised approximately $15,000.  Over one-half of the proceeds of the campaign were spent in conjunction with Jump Rope for Lee funds to build the Lee Track.

Current Board Members include:

Paul Burgess, President

Melanie Burgess, Secretary

Karen Kelley, Treasurer

Lydia Birkes, Grant Writer

Amy Fuller

Elizabeth Howell

Joe Howell

Pam Short

We recently succeeded in creating a master site improvement plan designed in concert with the Tulsa landscaping firm, Howell & Vancuren, a professional service donation valued at over $11,000. 

The plan has three objectives: First, develop a physical education center for the children while providing a community resource.  Second, update the school’s facilities to help attract families in today’s competitive school environment. Third, maintain Lee’s historical status within the beautiful Maple Ridge Neighborhood as the oldest elementary school in Tulsa.

Last year during Spring Break the first of our seven projects became a reality.  By working with TPS Energy Management consultants, AEP/PSO, Mrs. Atcheson and Lee PTA representatives, we had the opportunity to install nine historical light fixtures along Cincinnati and 21^st Street to illuminate our school for security reasons. Imagine coming out of Lee at night during the winter from after-care pick up, Boy Scout meetings, “Read in the Dark” programs, etc. and being able to see after the sun sets! The lights are similar to historical lighting installed around the University of Tulsa campus and will discourage school vandalism.  AEP/PSO installed and will lease the lights and TPS will pay for ongoing electricity.

Other projects in the Capital Improvement Plan for which we are currently completing and submitting requests to various Foundations, City Programs and TPS include:  Brick Pavers to line Cincinnati to cover exposed roots and mud, remodeled exterior entrance for Lee school with brick walls defining main entrance and handicap accessible ramp, replacement of wooden big toys, replacement of chain link fence with historically correct, security fencing along 21^st Street and a covered pavilion with seating for students and teachers and the Lee community along the east side of the track.  

With other more pressing concerns that TPS must address, The Lee Foundation, in collaboration with Mrs. Atcheson and the teachers, focuses on Capital Improvements at Lee in order to assist in shouldering that burden and separating it from the day-to-day volunteer coordination, curriculum enhancement issues, etc. on which the PTA focuses.  With a concrete plan in place, monthly meetings every month of the year and a board that does not turnover each year, The Lee Foundation positions itself on continuing collaborative efforts with multiple parties to upgrade the school’s physical facilities and engage a variety of parties to work together to accomplish the plan.