Maxine Spitler Foundation Grants awarded

  Six Lawrence County groups received grants from the Maxine E. Spitler Foundation. The 12th annual Spitler Foundation awards ceremony was held Friday at the Sunrise Youth Center and Community Building in Newton.
   A total of $28,000 was awarded to 11 organizations. Of that total, Lawrence County received the largest share, receiving $17,982. Five Jasper County groups split the remainder of the grant money.
   The grants are awarded to organizations benefiting children and animals.
   The City of Sumner received the largest grant, getting $10,294 to be used to help purchase new playground equipment for the City Park. Mayor Larry Stoltz accepted the grant for the city.
   Red Hill Junior High School's Scholastic Bowl team received $500. Student Noah Puntney accepted the grant which will be used to purchase a Quick Pro Deluxe Buzzer/Lockout System.
   The Chauncey Ball League received $1,288 for cabinets and counter tops for the concession stand. Janette Smith accepted the grant on behalf of the ball league.
   The Bridgeport Grade School library received $900 to update the biography section of the library.
   St. Francisville's Johnnie Mac - McKelfresh Tennis Courts received $4,000 to resurface and repair the courts. The money came through the Community Improvement Corporation.
   Kids Shopping Day of Lawrence County received $1,000. Bill and Helen Hanson, who accepted the grant, said the program is expected to serve as many as 600 students.
   Jasper County groups receiving grants are as follows: Sunrise Youth Center, $1,000; Jasper County Boys and Girls Park, $1,000; Ste. Marie Elementary School PTO, $2,322; City of Newton, $3,000; St. Thomas School in Newton, $2,696.
   This year 22 organizations applied, requesting more than $129,000 for projects, according to Rita Kocher, president of the foundation. Kocher also said that over the past 12-years the Foundation as awarded approximately $455,600. Lawrence County groups have received more than $272,400 of that money.
   Qualifying organizations wishing to submit an application to the Maxine Spitler Foundation, must either be a tax-supported government unit or entity, or must be a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), and must be located in Jasper or Lawrence County. The recipient must provide activities for youth or sponsor projects for domestic and wild animals or saving animal species in danger of extinction. Grant applications for the annual awards may be obtained from Rita M. Kocher's office in Newton. The deadline for submission of applications in May 31 of each year. An advisory board reviews the applications and determines the awards each year.
  

Red Hill Unit #10 State Funding in doubt

  The Red Hill school board met last week. The board heard how the lack of school funding from the state will affect the district. At this point in time, the state owes Unit #10 almost a half million dollars. The district has received five general aid payments of $225,000. These payments have been made with federal stimulus money. This is the reason the district’s budget had to be amended to reflect the money received is federal money. This money is instead of state money.
   The school district is still hoping to receive the money due by June 30, but at this time there has been no talk in Springfield to borrow money to pay the state’s expenditures. If the money is not received the district’s budget will be out of whack. Superintendent Dennis Kimmel said he hopes the word “proration” isn’t mentioned. If proration comes into play it most likely means the district will never see the state owed money.
   The board hired personnel for the next school term: Tina Atkins was hired as head cook for the Sumner Attendance Center. Peggy Brinkman was hired as a bus driver.
   Also hired were Jerome Thacker, Billy Gray and Derek Archer as volunteer $1 assistant football coaches. Mario Aguirre and Mark Tennis were hired as volunteer $1 baseball coaches.
   The board accepted resignations from high school head softball coach Greg McKinney and bus mechanic Terry Roark.
   Advertising is being placed to fill the following positions: high school assistant cook; Bridgeport Grade School sixth grade teacher; high school librarian; high school head softball coach; high school assistant volleyball coach; Sumner Attendance Center girls’ basketball coach and boys’ basketball coach; district bus mechanic; and elementary school positions.
   This was the final board meeting for retiring Superintendant Dennis Kimmel and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Barry Edwards. Both will be retiring June 30th.
   The doors on the east side of Sumner Attendance Center will be replaced. The doors will be purchased from Hayden Glass, Robinson, for $4,500. The north entrance at BGS will be replaced at a cost of $6,500.
   J. E. Shekell will be repairing the heating system at Sumner Attendance Center. Repairs will be made to the condensate piping at a cost of $59,630.
   The malfunctions of the air conditioners in the BGS and high school band rooms has been put on hold until and insurance company investigation is complete regarding why an equipment breakdown clause was left out of the insurance policy.
   Bill Evans, the district’s Athletic Director, gave a report on the high school’s sports schedule. He said it is possible the Salukis could play North Putnam, IN high school at Indiana State University as an opponent. This change became necessary when Martinsville dropped out of the Little Illlini Conference.