After being dormant and inactive for about three years, the Prince Edward Public School Endowment, or PEPSE, is being revitalized.

The 501c3 nonprofit organization, was formed about 20 years ago to offer assistance to teachers and students in Prince Edward in an unconventional way, according to Dr. Stephen Keith, the former chairman of the organization’s board.

PEPSE’s funds are used to create new and innovative ways of teaching for K-12 educators, said Keith, who served as chairman for about six years.

“It’s the idea that if a teacher has an idea and it’s in the middle of the school year it’s not in the budget, it’s new and innovative, and it probably would not be funded by the school board, then PEPSE would step in based upon an application and review. …”

Keith said there’s a new group of interested parents and citizens who’ve stepped up to take the baton.

“It’s been there, but it just hasn’t been active,” the Longwood professor said of the organization.

In terms of the funds and assets PEPSE has, Keith said, “We have a nice portfolio.”  He said the funds were well into the thousands of dollars. The group uses the interest on the principal, or return on its investments.

“As chair, I am hoping to expand PEPSE’s presence, build on its current resources and explore new avenues for raising funds and using them to support and uplift Prince Edward students and teachers,” said Liz Magill, the new leader of the group. “One of the ideas I am most excited about is an offer from the trainers at Crossfit 1st Due to plan and organize a 5K for school supplies.”

“As we move forward, PEPSE is open to hearing ideas from the community, and we will be looking for volunteers interested in helping with identifying projects, raising funds and communicating information about the schools to the community,” she said.

Some of PEPSE’s past projects include funding the middle school newspaper, selecting the teacher of the year, funding a high school chemistry project and supporting other academic initiatives in several of the division’s schools.

Heather Edwards is a parent of students in the division and will join Magill in a PEPSE leadership role.

“It makes good sense to revitalize PEPSE at this time — while momentum builds towards positive change in our schools,” she said. “One of the best aspects of PEPSE is its flexibility in both obtaining and distributing funds. It can do much to complement — but certainly not replace — healthy budgeting at the county level.”

For more information on PEPSE, contact Magill at elizabeth.hallmagill@gmail.com or write to PEPSE, P.O. Box 70 Farmville, Va. 2390.