Schools foundation distributes funds

Last updated Oct 23, 2007 12:0pm0

The Sisters School Foundation this month distributed $70,853 to benefit students at Sisters schools.

Funds were given to support projects and programs that supplement or create educational and co-curricular opportunities for Sisters students in grades K-12. Foundation funds may not be used to pay salaries.

In deciding which specific requests and what percentage of the dollar amount requested to fund, Sisters School Foundation board members evaluate several criteria.

High priority projects directly benefit students. Requests to fund materials, equipment and projects that benefit many students over a long period of time also receive high priority. Examples include this year's funded requests for smartboards at the middle school and a mobile writing unit at the elementary school.

The foundation board also considers whether or not a precedent will be set and whether other funding sources are available to fulfill the request.

According to Susan Arends, Sisters Schools Foundation's executive secretary, Superintendent Elaine Drakulich was very helpful in advising the foundation's board as to whether or not funding for a particular request was already available.

The foundation board also considers what percentage of its total budget a request is seeking, whether or not the group requesting the funds has the ability to raise the funds internally and the requesting group's level of commitment to the project.

Twenty-six percent of the funds distributed went to the elementary school. Thirty-one percent was distributed at the middle school, and 41 percent was dispersed at the high school. Remaining funds were distributed district wide.

Schools foundation gave funds to all schools

The Sisters Schools Foundation divided its distribution of $70,853 among all Sisters schools.

A total of $19,655 was distributed at the elementary school.

Items and programs funded were: Portable radios, "walkie talkies," $720; mobile writing lab, $6,695; media center computer chairs, $1,500; McMillan reading program, $7,500; fourth grade overnight field trip, $1,500; second grade field trip, $100; new glockenspiel and instrument repair, $225; first grade science field trip, $540; sports discs, $350; balance equipment, $525.

A total of $24,453 was distributed at the middle school.

Distributions were: Architectural design software, $800; GPS training and exploration, $720; life science living and dissection labs, $700; WEB orientation, $300; interim weeks, $1,000; sixth grade outdoor school (room and board for counselors) $1,000; eighth grade retreats, $1,000; greenhouse, $500; smartboards (two boards), $10,498; document scanner/projector, $800; digital camera - Web class, $250; digital camera - yearbook, $250; globe, map, teaching aids, $600; French language text and curriculum, $975; Young Readers Choice Award novels, $800; fifth grade below-level readers, $640; bowling equipment, $910; Lego robotics, $710; middle school athletics, $2,000.

At the high school $22,745 was distributed:

Athletics, $5,000; drama fall and winter play productions, $2,000; English curriculum enhancement cameras, $1,000; forensics - science, $1,340; Smart Technology - interactive response system, $2,025; CNC machine, $1,000; remote mix audio interface, $1,000; choir microphones, $1,430; soprano sax, flugelhorn and sound system, $3,950; auditorium video projector lens upgrade, $2,200; auditorium light bulbs, $300; astronomy and geology books, $1,500.

District wide, three distributions were made: Speech Pathology program, $500; digital images - visual arts, $1,000; and The Center for Concussion Screening, $2,500.