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Molalla River SD 35 accepts $1 million gift to renovate Burkhart Sports Complex
Summary
The Molalla River School District Board unanimously accepted a $1,000,000 donation from Dale and Julie Burkhart to renovate the Burkhart Sports Complex, approve associated terms in a donation agreement, and authorize district fundraising to close the remaining project gap.
The Molalla River School District 35 Board of Directors unanimously voted March 20 to accept a $1,000,000 gift from Dale and Julie Burkhart to help renovate the Burkhart Sports Complex.
The donation was presented under board policy KH, which requires large financial gifts be brought before the board. Athletic Director Mr. Lord, speaking on behalf of Superintendent Mann, described the project vision, saying the work would include a track resurfacing and a new playing surface for soccer and football and that the stadium would be used by school teams and community youth organizations.
The board book included a donation agreement with revised language on the term of donor commitments. The original “perpetuity” wording was removed and replaced with finite periods in the agreement; meeting discussion referenced 50 years from completion of construction and earlier drafts that listed 25 years. The athletic director said the project still needs between approximately $700,000 and $900,000 to be fully funded and that the steering committee’s goal is to have the project fully funded by Nov. 1, 2025.
Board members thanked the Burkhart family and asked clarifying questions about the donation agreement. The agreement also references the opportunity for an additional $10,000 contribution tied to future needs; the board packet lists that provision and the athletic director confirmed it is described on the third page of the agreement.
Board member Linda moved that the board accept the donation in alignment with the presented donation agreement; another board member seconded. The chair called for a vote and the board approved the motion unanimously by voice/hand vote.
With the acceptance vote complete, district staff said they would continue fundraising and community outreach to close the remaining funding gap and return to the board with updates at upcoming meetings.
The donation acceptance is purely a district-level agreement to accept the funds and begin project fundraising and planning; the athletic director said additional community and alumni efforts will continue to secure the balance needed to complete construction.
