Students from the East Heights Early Childhood Center sing a song for attendees at the eighth annual Lawrence Schools Foundation 2009 Community Education Breakfast.

Steve Sublett, left, and Mark Dominik, a former Lawrence High school student of Sublett’s who is now general manager of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, greet people Friday at the Lawrence School’s Foundation 2009 Community Education Breakfast. Dominik was the guest speaker.

If there was any doubt about the strong support in the community for the Lawrence public school system, it’d be quickly erased by a look inside the convention center at the Holiday Inn on Friday morning.

About 500 people filled the center for the Lawrence Schools Foundation’s eighth annual Community Education Breakfast. The attendees shared a common goal: supporting the school district.

Following a musical performance by Lawrence and Free State High School students, new superintendent Rick Doll spoke to the audience about the district’s accomplishments over the past year. Doll cited Broken Arrow School’s recent recognition by the U.S. Department of Education as a No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School for 2009, as well as the area students’ ACT and SAT scores that were above national averages.

They are accomplishments, Doll said, that would not be possible without the strong support of Lawrence residents.

“I think people in Lawrence may take for granted that most communities do not have this kind of support that’s exhibited for education (in Lawrence),” he said.

Mark Dominik, general manager for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a 1989 Lawrence High School graduate, was keynote speaker at the event. He stressed the importance of a strong education in helping people achieve their goals. The education he received in Lawrence, he said, helped him succeed personally and professionally.

“It’s exciting to see the teamwork today,” said Dominik of the several businesses and agencies working with the school district. Dominik also paid a visit to the Lawrence High School football team Thursday night, and they “talked about life,” he said.

The event raised more than $50,000 for Lawrence Schools Foundation. Susan Esau, the foundation’s executive director, said the funds will be used to help pay salaries for teachers at the East Heights Early Childhood Center.

Doll, in only his 80th day as superintendent, said the district will face challenges in the coming years. But he said he believes students will keep the community motivated in supporting the district.

“They (the students) bring us their fun-loving attitude everyday,” he said.