Board approves proposal format to manage $1 million donations from Gerald D. Wolfe Trust

The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District board approved a proposal format to manage $1,000,000 donations designated for Stilson and the high school from the Gerald D. Wolfe Trust, district leaders said Tuesday.

Superintendent Holmes explained the district received two $1 million gifts and proposed a formal electronic submission process so school staff and community members could submit project proposals. "Given the amount of dollars we are talking about, I think from the get-go it ought to be something that's brought to the board to decide how those donated dollars are spent," Holmes said. The draft calls for proposals to be submitted to central office by July 31 and for the board to review compiled submissions.

Trustees approved the Gerald D. Wolfe Trust donation project proposal format by motion (mover Macawam, second Martineau) and voice vote. Central office staff (Ms. Files referenced in the packet) created an online form for submissions, and administrators indicated they will publicize the opportunity and work with principals to solicit proposals.

Board and staff said potential large projects will be vetted and some ideas may require longer-term planning; the superintendent said donations will initially be held in the district's donations account and could be invested or placed on an investment platform while plans are developed.