Foundation for SPS boosts donations 56%

The Foundation for Springfield Public School made a record donation to the R-12 district Thursday, boosting its annual gift by more than 56 percent over last year.

The foundation donated $325,663 to more than 50 Springfield public schools and special programs, well over its $208,587 donation in 2013 and more than double its 2012 donation of $148,796.

"The money awarded throughout the district ... will impact so many students," said Michael Sapp, foundation board member and co-chair of the Back to School fundraising committee, in a news release. "The projects represented this year will help provide our schools with updated technology for the classrooms, money for academic field trips, funds for schoolwide reading programs and support for science, technology, engineering and math, just to name a few.”

More than 100 projects will be funded through the Back to School program this year. Projects range from $225 for the Count on Me! program at Reed Academy to $25,000 for science drive innovations at Central High School. Other large projects include:

• $12,600 to teacher Leigh Anne Patrick at Bowerman Elementary for iPad innovations;
• $9,336 to teacher Kerri McLain at Cherokee Middle School for the Into the 21st Century program;
• $9,336 to teacher Amanda Chilton at Weaver Elementary for laptops and laptop carts; and
• $9,004 to teacher Christina Casey at Carver Middle School for college and career readiness.

Since it's inception more than 20 years ago, the foundation has received support from community members, businesses and individuals to provide classroom and school grants to teachers and principals, evolving into the Back to School program.

A complete list of projects funded for the 2014-15 school year can be found online.