About.

The Castleberry ISD Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization composed of community leaders and businesses, working together to enhance the quality of education in the Castleberry Independent School District. 
 
Private donations to the foundation benefit students and teachers by supporting activities not funded by tax dollars. The foundation’s innovative teaching grants allow teachers to take a more creative approach to education and dream bigger.  Student scholarships are awarded annually to help ensure that Castleberry ISD graduates continue their path to success, even after they leave the district.
 
Grant and scholarship recipients are chosen carefully by our voluntary board of directors and community partners on an anonymous basis to ensure every student, teacher or staff member is judged on merit.

Established in July 2017

Transforming education together means that we all help to make a collective impact to our educational ecosystem.  ​

Our Goal

The CISD Education Foundation is dedicated to providing teacher grants and student scholarships within CISD. ​

Board of Directors 

Renee Smith-FAulkner
District Superintendent

Renee is a 1982 Castleberry graduate. She holds a Bachelor's in Secondary Education from TCU and a Master's Degree in Learning Technologies from UNT. She has worked in
Castleberry ISD for 32 years and currently serves as the district's Superintendent. In April of 2015, the Texas Library Association (TLA) honored Renee by awarding her Administrator of the Year for the state of Texas. 

Abigail Offenbaker
PUBLICITY/MEDIA

Abigail is the Communications Coordinator for Castleberry ISD. Offenbaker pursued the role because she loves Castleberry ISD and wants to share the district's story with everyone. Prior to this year, she worked four years as a secondary instructional technologist, and two years as an English I teacher for Castleberry. Overall, Offenbaker has 11 years in education. She earned her undergraduate degree in Education from Miami University of Ohio and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.  

Brandon Weaver
​Director

Adrian Galvan
​Director

Cristal Hernandez
​Director

Jerry Cantu
​Director

Dewey Taliaferro
​Director

Cassi Ashton
​Director

Chris Page
​​Director

Heather Mayfield
​​​Director

Samuel Cervantez
Board President

A 2003 graduate of Castleberry ISD, Samuel has led a life marked by dedication and service.
After high school, he proudly served as a Fire Fighter/Crash Rescue specialist in the U.S. Air Force, deploying to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Samuel's military service showcased his courage and commitment to safeguarding others.
In 2016, he graduated from Texas Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Science degree in History
Today, Samuel serves as the Safety and Security Coordinator for Castleberry ISD, continuing to demonstrate his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of the community.
 He is married to Sandra Cervantez and has 3 children all who attend CISD. 

Sandra Cervantez
​Recording Secretary

Sandra is a 2004 graduate of Castleberry High School, who has worked for the district the past 12 years. Sandra currently serves as the Executive Secretary to the Executive Director of Teaching, Learning, and Innovation. Throughout the years, Sandra has developed a love for the students and families of Castleberry ISD and takes joy in serving the district in various capacities while building relationships with stakeholders.
Sandra is married to Samuel, Castleberry ISD as the Safety and Security Coordinator, and together they have three children, Samuel (14), Solomon (10), and Sally (8), all of whom attend Castleberry ISD schools. 

Travis Crow
Director 

Travis is a proud 1985 alumnus of Castleberry, having attended Castleberry schools from kindergarten through 12th grade. He attended Abilene Christian University and the University of North Texas, and holds degrees in Secondary Education and Counseling. Travis has worked as a teacher in the Castleberry and White Settlement schools, as a counselor in the private sector, and as head of counseling for Southwest Christian School. He currently works for Grand Canyon University as the University Development Manager for portions of Texas and the state of Oklahoma. Travis is committed to excellence in education at all levels, and is honored to serve on the Castleberry ISD Foundation.​

DeAnne Page
Treasurer 

    DeAnne is a graduate of the University of Phoenix where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and Master's of Business Administration.  She began her career at Dell City ISD as a Payroll/PEIMS  clerk, and finished her four year tenure as a Business Manager.  Mrs. Page has also worked at ESC Region XI in payroll as well as financial services for the Business Service Department, and also served as the CFO for Lindsey ISD.  
    DeAnne is married to Chris, and they have three children, Michael (21), Kimberly (18), and Matthew (15).  DeAnne serves as Executive Director of Financial Services for Castleberry ISD. ​

Elena Fernandez
Director

Elena Fernandez joined the Education Foundation in 2019 And is a partner at Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP. Elena practices in government receivables focusing on delinquent property tax collection and delinquent fines & fess collection. She is a member of the Firm’s Management Committee as well as a member of the Firm’s national marketing team. She is a licensed attorney in Texas, Illinois, and Arizona. Elena is very active in the community, serving on several nonprofit boards, that speak to Education, homelessness, and empowering young women.  She enjoys spending time with her family and playing softball. She has served as the Foundation’s Secretary and as president.

SAL LIMAS
Grants

Bio about Sal...

Allen Pennington
Advisor

Allen is a native of River Oaks and a 5th generation Texan. He graduated from Castleberry High School in 1975. He received his B.B.A. from Baylor University in 1977, summa cum laude, with concentrations in economics and finance. In 1981, he received his J.D. (law degree) from Notre Dame, cum laude. Today, Allen is an active commercial trial lawyer in Fort Worth. 

We're Here for the Students of CISD

Castleberry ISD Administrators were facing the challenge of financing quality, public education.  So with the efforts of key district personnel and a core group of concerned citizens, the idea for an education foundation to support CISD came to fruition.  The education foundation concept was presented to the CISD Board of Education where it received unanimous support.  On July 27th, 2017, the Castleberry ISD Education Foundation was established as a public, non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax status kicking off its Employee Giving Campaign and a Community Meet and Greet in September of 2017. ​