Abound Credit Union pledged $22,000 to Hardin County Schools to fund a three-year contract so every middle-school student can access a newly introduced financial-literacy program.

Ray Springsteen, chief executive officer and president of Abound Credit Union, and Jake Dravos, chief financial officer, presented the check during the board meeting and described the donation as support for the district's Foundations of Entrepreneurship middle-school curriculum tied to the Dave Ramsey program used at the high school level.

"We think it's making a difference. We get the opportunity to help thousands upon thousands of children, middle school, high school, and adults," Springsteen said as he handed the check to board leadership.

District speakers said the program costs $7,000 a year to give all middle-school students access; Abound agreed to pay for a three-year contract and presented the district with a $22,000 check. The board chair, identified in the meeting as Miss Morgan, and staff member Chastity Yates were named as program contacts for building a vertical pathway to tie middle- and high-school financial education together.

The board accepted the donation at the meeting; the presentation was ceremonial and no additional board action or vote on the contract terms was recorded in the transcript.

Ending: Board leaders thanked Abound Credit Union and noted continued community support for classroom and career-readiness programs.