Former Denton ISD Educator Donates $69,000 to Newton Rayzor Library
The William and Mildred Borth Family Trust has left a $69,000 gift to Newton Rayzor Elementary to be used for library needs.
Mr. Borth was a former teacher and administrator in Denton ISD, joining the district in 1963 as a sixth-grade teacher at Newton Rayzor. In 1969, he became the principal of Newton Rayzor – a position he held for 18 years.
“We are extremely grateful and humbled by the fact that Mr. and Mrs. Borth chose to invest in the future of education in Denton ISD,” said Shelly Panter, Newton Rayzor Elementary Principal. “Our campus is forever connected to the legacy of Mr. Borth, and through this generous gift, we can continue to ensure that each child becomes a strong reader and thinker.”
During his time at Newton Rayzor, Mr. Borth organized the first summer school program (Explorer Trails) for the district while also serving as President and Vice President of the then-Denton County Unit of the Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA). In addition, Mr. Borth was President of the Denton Administrators Association.
In the fall of 1987, Mr. Borth opened Hodge Elementary, serving as principal for three years until his retirement in 1990 after 34 years of service as an educator.
Born in Sanger on Oct. 11, 1932, Mr. Borth was a longtime resident of Denton. The stone at the Courthouse on the Square came from his great grandfather’s farm north of Denton on Ganzer Road. He completed elementary school in Denton and graduated high school in Camden, Arkansas.
He received his bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Ouachita Baptist University and his master’s of education in public school administration from the University of North Texas. He was a member of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional fraternity, and was awarded a lifetime membership in the National Congress of the Parent Teachers Association.
He married his wife, Mildred Hale Borth, on May 31, 1957. Mr. Borth passed away on May 18, 2022 at the age of 89. Mrs. Borth passed away on July 2, 2023 at the age of 88.
