News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Clay County School fundraisers for 2020-2021 are cancelled due to pandemic concerns.
The Board of Education voted Thursday to provide $75,000 to cover school programs that rely on annual fundraisers. School Director Matt Eldridge said this alternative will not require students to knock on doors around the neighborhood.
“What we’re trying to do is help the public and not have our schools go out and ask for money or sell items to them for money to get by like the football program or the basketball program or the ag program,” Eldridge said.
The BOE will give funds to programs based on what they raised last year. Chairman Benji Bailey said the $75,000 is possible through the fund balance and carefully moving budgeted school system money and federal money.
“There will be money that we spend that’s already in the budget, and if that [federal] money comes through, we plan on spending that on, for example, computers-Chromebooks,” Bailey said. “You know we’re going to buy every Chromebook we can that we need. But then on the back side, we will get some funding, hopefully, expected for Chromebooks.”
The school system recently received a $40,000 federal grant, and another $30,000 grant is expected to be on the way. Eldridge said these funds will be used to purchase more Chromebooks. Although every student has been given a computer, several need a replacement.
Additionally, board members approved opening bids for a new baseball/softball scoreboard at the Clay County High School. Eldridge said he hopes the scoreboard will be installed by spring next year in time for the season. A new football scoreboard should be installed in the next few weeks.
