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Bridle Ridge greenhouse program update and foundation grants highlighted at board meeting
Summary
Board received updates on the Bridle Ridge agricultural program and the Hillsboro R-III Foundation's recent fundraising and grants, including scholarship payouts and grants for a playground and classroom technology.
Board members received a report on the Bridle Ridge agriculture program and greenhouse, and heard an update from the Hillsboro R-III Foundation on recent grants and fundraising activity.
Administrators said the Bridle Ridge greenhouse is now operational and that Spire Gas work to complete conduit and final hookups was expected in the coming week. The district described improvements to farm equipment and a possible change to a smaller tractor to allow more student access and easier campus maintenance. The Bridle Ridge FFA program was noted for recent milestones, including the district's first state FFA degree recipient.
The foundation reported that it raised more than $15,000 during the last year, reinstated classroom grants, awarded $3,000 in scholarships to the Class of 2025 and secured several grants: $30,000 from a local foundation for backpack and playground support ($10,000 backpack; $20,000 playground), a $500 grant from FCS Financial for farm fire pits, and a $30,000 innovative technology grant that funded new computers in a high-school business lab. The foundation said final reports on previously awarded greenhouse and CTE grants were complete.
The foundation also described community events it hosted, including a retired staff brunch with about 80 attendees, and previewed a homecoming golf tournament and alumni tailgate to be held around homecoming. The board also heard that a new memorial scholarship (John Schuster Memorial scholarship) has been established through the foundation using donated funds.
Why this matters: The Bridle Ridge greenhouse and related grants support hands-on CTE (career and technical education) and extracurricular programs. The foundation's reported grants and scholarships channel private funding into classroom materials, student support (backpacks), playground improvements and farm programming.
What the board asked: Board members asked for confirmation that final grant reports were filed and discussed how foundation events would coordinate with upcoming school events. The foundation confirmed final reports were complete for several grants and said it continues to pursue additional grant funding for facility and program needs.
Next steps: District staff will complete remaining greenhouse hookups and continue farm operations over the summer. The foundation plans to announce classroom-grant recipients at the start of the next school year and continue fundraising for planned events and projects.
