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Hernando schools accept $323,049.89 in donations and grants; board approves distribution
Summary
The Hernando County School Board approved acceptance of donations and grants totaling $323,049.89, covering athletics, classroom programs and district-wide grants; the Education Foundation presented detailed gift and grant lists.
The Hernando County School Board on Jan. 28 voted 5-0 to accept donations and grant awards presented by the Hernando County Education Foundation totaling $323,049.89.
Tammy Brinker, chief executive officer of the Hernando County Education Foundation, detailed dozens of donations and grant awards to district schools and programs. "Tonight, we are seeking the board's approval for a sum totaling $323,049.89," Brinker told the board.
The presentation listed school-by-school donations to athletics and extracurriculars and numerous grants for classroom materials and programs. Notable entries included a $30,000 donation through a donor-advised fund to Chokechati Elementary (split as $5,000 for a STEM program and $25,000 for playground enhancements), a $20,000 gift from Chambers Law to support Springstead High School's volleyball program and a $100,000 allocation described as coming through a consortium and the advocacy of state Sen. Blaise Ingolia to assist families affected by hurricanes (Brinker said the district had applications open for distribution and had not yet received funds in hand).
Brinker and staff also summarized dozens of smaller donations to athletics and classroom initiatives, plus grants distributed through the foundation for projects such as reading-material purchases, STEM programs, a sensory room at Explorer K-8 and a family-engagement mobile unit. The foundation asked the board to accept the gifts so distribution and grant administration could proceed.
Board members asked clarifying questions about the senator-allocated funds and were told the $100,000 had been allocated by a consortium and that applications for assistance are open online; Brinker said funds had not yet been received in hand. The board approved acceptance of the donations by a voice vote that was recorded as 5-0.
The full list of contributions presented at the meeting included dozens of school-level gifts to athletics, clubs and classroom projects, multiple grant awards for literacy and STEM initiatives, and targeted support for families affected by recent storms. The board did not reject or amend any of the grants presented during the vote.
