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Parents ask Grand Rapids Public Schools to accept Meijer gift for Ottawa Hills scoreboards
Summary
Parents and boosters told the finance committee they have donor commitments — including a $30,000 Meijer Foundation gift and $30,000 from community partners for installation — and asked the district to expedite recognition so scoreboards can be purchased and installed before fall sports.
Laura Workman, an employee of Grand Rapids Public Schools and a parent, told the finance committee May 27 that Ottawa Hills boosters have secured multiple donations for new outdoor scoreboards and asked the district to accept the funds quickly so the work can be completed before fall sports.
Workman said the boosters have “some big donations that are just literally waiting to be recognized and accepted by, you guys.” She asked the committee to add the item to an upcoming board agenda if possible.
Missy Jackson, a parent and volunteer who said she is project-managing the effort, told the committee she and other volunteers raised installation funding after donors agreed to give the scoreboards themselves. “We have a significant donation from Consumers Credit Union that has come in for $30,000. And we have a donation from Old National Bank for a thousand dollars,” Jackson said, adding that suppliers and some installers have offered discounts or donated labor to lower the installation cost.
Nate Willink, who also spoke during public comment, told the committee the Meijer Foundation has pledged $30,000 that would be a gift directly to GRPS and asked the district to recognize the gift during this finance cycle so a purchase order can be issued and installation completed for the fall season. “If we get onboard the Meijer 30Ks, that is a gift that is straight to GRPS,” Willink said.
District staff on the dais described an established internal process for accepting donations that typically requires certain documentation and routing through district finance and facilities staff before the board acts. Committee members and staff said the district can expedite items when time is of the essence and that facilities staff have been involved in advising the boosters.
The public commenters said Marcus Harris and Dr. Mabin at Ottawa Hills support the project; the boosters said they have paperwork ready to provide to finance staff. The committee did not vote on the donation during the meeting; speakers said staff can bring the formal acceptance to the full board for approval on short notice if the documentation is complete.
The boosters asked the district to prioritize recognition of the Meijer gift and related funds so scoreboards for baseball, softball and soccer fields can be ordered and installed before the next athletic season.
Ending: Committee members advised the boosters to turn over grant and donation paperwork to district finance and facilities staff; staff and boosters said they would continue working to have the item placed on the next available full-board agenda for formal acceptance.
