Steve Simmons donated $100,000 to the East Williston Education Foundation in 1996 in appreciation of the education he and his classmates received as students in the class of 1964.
But his support of the district did not end there.
In November, Simmons donated an additional $55,000 to the district.
“The teachers in the district had a critical influence on me and my classmates,” Simmons said. “It was just a spectacular place to go to school and learn.”
Simmons, who now lives in Connecticut, said he has tried to keep his life varied since graduating from East Williston Schools in 1964.
“I’ve done a lot of different things,” he said.
Simmons, who grew up in Roslyn Heights, started his own cable company in 1982, Simmons Communications. which held over 350,000 subscribers in 20 states, later selling the company in the early 1990’s, he said.
Simmons said he went on to write five children’s books, including “Alice and Greta,” which sold over 200,000 copies.
Prior to starting his cable company, Simmons said he worked in the White House for President Jimmy Carter for nearly four years as an assistant and then associate director on the White House’s domestic policy staff.
Simmons, who attended Cornell University and Harvard Law School, said he was eventually drawn back to working in cable and the internet when he started three new cable companies in 2001, RCN, Grande and Choice.
He currently is the chairman of all three, which serves over 700,000 customers in total across the United States and Puerto Rico.
“I’m still working now in this new world of internet,” he said.
The East Williston Education Foundation announced Monday that it will express its appreciation by honoring Simmons at the organization’s Simmons’ Award Night, an annual event that recognizes district staff members who have made a difference in their students lives.
Simmons, who said he will be attending the event, said he believes that teachers are one of the most important aspects in a students life.
“Teachers are so important to the futures of all children and yet I do not believe they get enough recognition and enough support,” he said.
East Williston Education Foundation co-President Janet Entine said the organization decided to honor Simmons at the April 16 event alongside school members following his second contribution.
“It’s a wonderful gesture,” Entine said. “He feels very strongly that he and his family and his classmates received a strong education.”
According to the East Williston School district’s website, the foundation chooses teachers for the award based on prepared portfolios showcasing letters from former students, fellow teachers and administration which show the teacher has worked to further the foundations goals.
The foundation, which was established in 1996, seeks to aid students in receiving a strong education, Entine said.
“It’s a jewel of a district,” she said. “In this day and age of declining money from the state we want to provide programs for the students that allow them to become a well-rounded child.”
Entine said one of the goals of the not-for-profit organization is ensure each student has a computer and printer in their home. To date, the foundation has donated over 45 computers to students, she said.
“The district will notify us and we will purchase the computer and deliver it to the child,” she said.
She cited an instance where the foundation was able to keep the Wheatley Library open for students during a time of fiscal hardship for the district.
“We attempt to cover items that are not covered by the school,” Entine said.
