United Way and School District Celebrate Educational Milestones at ‘Fueling Brighter Futures’ Event
The United Way of Indian River County (UWIRC) brought together educators, civic leaders, and nonprofit partners this week for a pivotal discussion on the future of local education. Held on February 16, 2026, the latest installment of the Powered by Purpose Speaker Series, titled Fueling Brighter Futures, featured a fireside chat between UWIRC CEO Meredith Egan and Dr. David K. Moore, Superintendent of the School District of Indian River County.
The event served as both a celebration of recent academic victories and a strategic look at how community collaboration is driving student success across Vero Beach and the wider county.
A District on the Rise
Dr. Moore highlighted the school district’s impressive trajectory over recent years. Under his leadership, the School District of Indian River County has achieved significant milestones:
While these accolades mark a high point for local education, the discussion emphasized that academic instruction is only one piece of the puzzle. The central theme of the evening was the necessity of “wrap-around” support—services that address the needs of the whole child and their family outside of the classroom.
“When I arrived in Indian River County, my goal was to create a system that was best for all kids. That means strong instruction in the classroom and strong partnerships beyond it.” — Dr. David K. Moore, Superintendent
The Power of Community Partnerships
A major driver of the district’s momentum is its alignment with community organizations. The United Way of Indian River County has played a critical role in this ecosystem by strategically investing donor funds into a network of nonprofit partners. These partners work alongside the schools to remove barriers to learning that exist beyond the school gates.
Through local generosity, the United Way supports organizations providing:
These initiatives are designed to stabilize families and improve student well-being, creating the conditions necessary for academic success. Meredith Egan noted that schools simply cannot do this work in isolation.
“United Way brings the community together by investing in trusted nonprofit partners that help meet students and families where they are. When education and community support are aligned, students have a far greater chance to thrive.” — Meredith Egan, CEO of United Way of Indian River County
Success Stories: Vero Beach and Dodgertown Elementary
The partnership approach has already yielded tangible results in local schools. The event highlighted Vero Beach Elementary as a “lab school” and proof-of-concept site where new academic interventions and community supports were tested before being implemented district-wide.
Additionally, Dodgertown Elementary was spotlighted as a major success story. The school earned an “A” rating last year, with 90 percent of students who were previously in the lowest academic quartile demonstrating significant growth in reading and math.
To sustain this growth, the district is focusing heavily on retaining talent through a multi-year professional development process, ensuring that educators receive the training and support needed to grow from within the system.
Premiere of ‘The Moonshot Story’
The event concluded with the announcement of a new documentary, The Moonshot Story, produced by The Children’s Literacy Project. Premiering on February 16, the film chronicles the united effort of families, educators, and civic leaders to confront the literacy crisis in Indian River County. It serves as a visual testament to how the community, including United Way-funded organizations, rallied to accelerate student achievement.
The Powered by Purpose series continues to be a vital platform for exploring local challenges and inspiring collaboration. As the Fueling Brighter Futures event demonstrated, the alignment of education and community investment is ensuring that every child in Indian River County has the opportunity to succeed.
