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Johnson City Schools Foundation donates digital STAR Lab to district
Summary
The Johnson City Public School Foundation donated a $60,000 digital STAR Lab to Johnson City Schools, purchased June 27 and recently delivered to Liberty Bell Middle School; the board accepted the donation and memorandum of understanding during the meeting.
The Johnson City Public School Foundation announced that it met a $60,000 fundraising goal and purchased a digital STAR Lab for the district, foundation president Timber Aldridge told the Johnson City Board of Education. "We reached our goal of $60,000, and a new STAR Lab was purchased on 06/27/2025," Aldridge said, adding that the unit was delivered to Liberty Bell this week and unpacked for a demonstration.
The foundation credited major donors including Eastman Credit Union, Jeff Bedard's Foundation and WJHL. Aldridge said the lab will allow students to "explore the cosmos" and inspire greater interest in science and technology across grade levels. The foundation also announced a public demonstration at Liberty Bell Middle School on Oct. 2 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., with the program beginning at 6:00 p.m.
Board members moved to accept the donation and a memorandum of understanding with the foundation; the motion was seconded and carried. Board president Jonathan Kinnick read a proclamation earlier in the meeting and acknowledged the foundation representatives in attendance. Timber Aldridge noted the foundation will provide formal invitations to board members for the Oct. 2 event.
The foundation described how the STAR Lab project fit into its broader fundraising work: the foundation has awarded teacher grants and scholarships and manages endowment accounts, including a Gulong Endowment whose interest funded four $2,000 scholarships for students entering engineering. Aldridge said images of the STAR Lab and financial breakdowns are included in the foundation's report to the board.
The board’s acceptance of the donation was procedural; the motion to accept the donation and MOU passed during the meeting. No conditions or amendments were attached to the board's action. The foundation representatives said they will provide an MOU and logistical details to the district for the lab’s installation and forthcoming demonstration.
