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Parents form nonprofit to raise funds for stadium lights, propose equal upgrades for softball and baseball
Summary
A newly formed 501(c)(3), the Clarke County Schools Improvement Fund, told the board it is fundraising to install lights at the baseball and softball fields and pursue LED upgrades and stage lighting; a turnkey quote was shared and the group asked the board to endorse and help raise awareness.
Kathy Paschal told the school board on Jan. 27 that a volunteer group has incorporated a nonprofit, the Clarke County Schools Improvement Fund (CCSIF), to raise tax‑deductible donations for facility upgrades including lights for the baseball and softball fields.
Paschal said CCSIF formed after discussions with school leaders and community partners and decided to be a permanent nonprofit to support multiple infrastructure projects rather than dissolving after a single campaign. “Our organizational purpose is to identify unfunded educational, athletic and extracurricular infrastructure improvements and conduct community fundraising to help offset those costs,” Paschal said.
The nut graf: CCSIF asked the board for endorsement, help raising community awareness and consideration of budgeting to support the project. The group presented project priorities, fundraising activity to date and vendor quotes for lighting and maintenance.
Paschal said the Musco quote from about 18 months ago lists a turnkey price of $202,000 for the softball lights, about $400,000 for baseball, and roughly $258,000 to upgrade the football lights; she summarized the combined cost at about $750,000. She said Musco would provide 25 years of free maintenance if the infield lights and football lighting were upgraded simultaneously. Paschal said the group has raised about $3,000 so far and is pursuing events and donations, and that CCSIF’s bylaws require it to identify at least three projects per year.
Board members asked questions about quotes and fundraising. Paschal said CCSIF has a five-member board including a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer/board chair and another parent volunteer, and described fundraisers held at the county fair and upcoming events.
Ending: The group asked the board for a formal endorsement and help raising community awareness; board members thanked CCSIF for organizing and agreed to consider ways to support the effort during future budget and facilities discussions.
