District seeks Arthur M. Blank Foundation sports grant to expand middle-school athletics and reduce fees
Summary
A proposed Arthur M. Blank Foundation sports and entertainment grant could fund equipment, field renovations, new middle-school sports and participation-fee support; if awarded the foundation would cover year-one costs and Rockdale would assume increasing shares in subsequent years.
Rockdale County Public Schools officials presented a request for consideration of an Arthur M. Blank Foundation Sports & Entertainment philanthropic grant that would fund equipment, field renovations and participation-fee support for middle-school athletics.
Dr. Keisha Ralls (presenting with facilities staff) described a proposal intended to increase safety, accessibility and participation in school athletics. The presentation listed program elements including properly fitting protective equipment for middle-school football and flag football, female-only wrestling coaching at middle schools, new soccer goals and field renovations at Conyers and Edwards middle schools, and an expansion of middle-school volleyball. The proposal also would provide equipment or fee support for lower-participation sports such as golf, swimming and tennis, including paying swim rental fees, golf course fees and entry fees for eligible students.
Grant financing as described in the presentation would cover 100% of awarded costs in year one; the district would be responsible for 25% in year two and 50% in year three, with year four used to determine sustainability or alternative funding. The presenters said the total package requested in the proposal is $1,700,000 (presentation text) and that the district’s projected contribution across years two and three would be $413,000 if the full request is awarded. The proposal is competitive; presenters said Rockdale is one of four Metro-Atlanta districts pursuing the grant and that Gwinnett and Spalding counties and Clayton (as cited in the presentation) have previously received funding.
The board was told the timeline is tight: the grant review meeting was set for Oct. 15 and the district expected to learn whether to proceed with a commitment soon after that. Tracy (district grants staff) was identified as the staff member prepared to monitor the application and implementation if the award is made.
Presenters stressed that award decisions are not guaranteed and that the district’s year-two and year-three contributions would require budgeting decisions if Rockdale opts to continue programs after the grant’s initial periods. The work session did not include a board vote on the proposal; staff indicated they would return with a formal action if the grant is offered.
