Regional School Committee accepts three donations for gym sound, athletics and classroom technology

The Apponequet Regional School Committee voted unanimously Nov. 28 to accept three donations: a gymnasium sound system from the Suzanne Bennett Charitable Foundation, multiple contributions from the ARHS athletic boosters to support teams, and a package of classroom technology earmarked for the Alfred F. Puffer Elementary School (AES).

Committee leadership said the Suzanne Bennett Charitable Foundation will fund the high school gym sound system in its entirety; the committee noted that improvement will also support town meetings and other district events. Committee members also accepted donations from the athletic boosters intended to support lacrosse, soccer, baseball, softball and other programs. Finally, the committee accepted a package of Chromebooks, warranties and classroom accessories for AES intended to outfit classrooms with additional student devices.

The board recorded a motion and second for each donation and called the question; each motion passed unanimously. The technology package was described during the meeting as “in the range of $38,000” in total value, with additional contributions from a PTO read-a-thon (reported as school-run fundraising), an approximately $10,000 PTO contribution, one or more anonymous donors and the named private donor that covered the remaining gap. Committee staff said a more detailed breakdown would be provided at a future meeting.

Committee members thanked donors and volunteers for the contributions and noted the donations will be formally acknowledged by district staff. The donors requested privacy and were not present at the meeting.

The superintendent and technology staff will follow up with the committee to provide an itemized breakdown of the AES technology package and the timetable for deploying devices and licenses in classrooms.