After her death last year, long-time Waterford educator and principal Mary Lou Simmons bequeathed over $500,000 to the Waterford Foundation for Public Education.

Now, the foundation has announced the creation of the Mary Lou Simmons Legacy Endowment.

Simmons, who was hired into the district in April of 1967, spent 32 years teaching and working for the district. She was also a member of the district’s foundation.

About $250,000 will be earmarked for literacy and arts enrichment for Waterford School District students, according to a release from the district. Around $20,000 to $25,000 will be given annually to district-wide programming for students.

The rest of the money will be used to develop the Mary Lou Simmons Waterford Promise, which will provide funds to each Waterford School District graduating senior for post-secondary education.

“This funding will be used as seed money to begin the development the Waterford Promise and will rely heavily on community business support and donor contribution,” The release from the district states. “It represents Mary Lou Simmons’ belief that the Waterford School District is an outstanding place for children to receive a quality education.”

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