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Huber commits $65,000 to Tate Elementary playground; district says work will proceed in phases
Summary
Huber donated $65,000 to replace playground equipment at Tate Elementary, the company and district staff told the Pickens County Board of Education. District staff said procurement rules require a two‑phase approach but that the project will move forward this summer.
Huber, a local employer, pledged $65,000 toward new playground equipment at Tate Elementary School, Pickens County school and company representatives said during the school board meeting.
Teresa Schlueter, human resources manager at Huber, told the board she applied for the donation through Huber’s “impact your community” program and called the award “something that the kids can grow with.” “$65,000 doesn’t go as far as it used to but the thing that’s most exciting is that there will be something different for the students to come, something that’s more adaptable for any and everyone to use and something that the kids can grow with,” Schlueter said.
Superintendent Doctor Thomas and Assistant Superintendent Chris Parker said the district will deliver the project in two phases because state procurement rules affect how the district brings new equipment into schools. “There’s 2 phases to it for you guys from Huber. So you understand the state procurement get makes it hard on us to take new things forward, but we will be moving on that project as soon as possible,” Parker said. Deckard Pool was identified by staff as the district point person for the project.
District staff said construction work on district playgrounds will be scheduled so installations do not conflict with the school year; Parker said the Tate work will take place this summer and that other playground work in the district will follow. The district also acknowledged typical procurement steps and the need to sequence purchases under state rules before delivery and installation.
The donation will be used for playground equipment and accessibility improvements, according to Schlueter’s remarks and district staff updates. Schlueter thanked district partners and outside donors that will supplement the district’s gift.
The board did not take a formal recorded vote accepting the donation during the meeting; staff presented the donation and said they would proceed with procurement and scheduling next steps.
