Monticello school board accepts $15,000 in athletics donations in memory of former volunteer

The Monticello Public School District Board of Education voted 6-0 Monday to accept approximately $15,000 in donations from a family identified at the meeting as the Cote and Butteau family to support athletics programs.

The gifts, presented at the Feb. 3 regular meeting, were offered in memory of a former student and volunteer identified during remarks as Ricky. Activities Director Gary Revnig described how Ricky had supported Monticello athletics as a spotter for the gymnastics program, a strength-and-conditioning helper and a summer trainer, and said the family requested the funds be used to continue that work.

Under the resolution accepted by the board, the family earmarked $5,000 for the gymnastics program to cover an additional coach/spotter, $5,000 for boys and girls track and field to help purchase a storage shed (with any remainder to support track), and $5,000 for the weight room to upgrade training equipment. Revnig also said the family donated an exercise bike that is already in use by students.

The resolution to accept the gifts was moved by Jeff Hegley, seconded by Melissa Curtis, and passed by voice vote with the board recorded as 6-0 in favor. Board members thanked the family for the donation and for the volunteer’s contributions to district athletics.

The board took the donation vote as a discrete action item under the “collaborative connections” portion of the agenda; no additional directives or spending approvals beyond acceptance of the gifts were recorded in the transcript. The board also noted the gymnastics program’s competitive standing during the meeting and said the funds were intended to support safety and training capacity.