Carroll EMC donates $30,000 to Paulding County Schools for safety initiatives

Carroll EMC presented a $30,000 donation to Paulding County Schools to support district school-safety initiatives and was recognized as a partner in education during the board's June 10 work session.

Tim Martin, president and CEO of Carroll EMC, read a letter from the co-op's board and told the school board the contribution "is an expression of one of the foundational principles of electric cooperative belief, concern for community." He said the donation is intended "to be used in support of school safety initiatives across the district."

Superintendent (unnamed in the transcript) and board members thanked Carroll EMC for its long-standing involvement with the district's career and technical programs. Janice DeGaul introduced the recognition and noted Carroll EMC's participation in career fairs at Paulding County High School and South Paulding High School, annual scholarships, corporate sponsorships to the Paulding Education Foundation, and ongoing support for the Paulding College and Career Academy's energy lineman program.

Janice DeGaul said Carroll EMC "built our outdoor training lab when PCCA opened" and that the co-op provides equipment, training and summer internships for students. The board accepted Carroll EMC's partner-in-education sign and posed for a photo with Martin.

Board members recorded appreciation for the donation; no formal board vote on the donation was required or recorded. The superintendent said the funds would be handled through the central budget and referenced Finance Director Mike Ruppel as the point of contact for placing the donation into the budget.