Board weighs options for distributing $90,000 from the Merle Maguire/McGuire Mayo scholarship endowment
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Summary
The board discussed allocation options for a $90,000 endowment distribution administered through Arlington Dollars for Scholars, with members leaning toward awarding about 24–30 students rather than a small number of multi‑year awards; staff will return with narrowed options for a future vote.
Board members reviewed options for awarding the annual interest from the Merle Maguire/McGuire Mayo Scholarship Endowment. Executive director Gina Zuttenhorst said $90,000 is available this year; last year’s pool was $67,000.
Gina reviewed multiple sample allocation scenarios: a large number of one‑time awards (for example, 90 awards at $1,000), fewer larger awards (e.g., 45 at $2,000), and hybrid models with several multi‑year awards alongside one‑time grants. She described the district’s role as choosing amounts and number of awards while Arlington Dollars for Scholars would administer selection and maintain applicant anonymity.
Board members debated trade‑offs: several members favored a "broader reach" with more smaller awards to encourage college attendance, while others argued multi‑year awards can provide continuity and a stronger incentive. Several board members suggested a compromise in the middle — roughly 24–30 awards with a mix of single‑year and recurring scholarships.
Why it matters: Scholarship allocations affect how broad an impact the endowment will have across graduating students and whether support targets deep multi‑year needs or wider participation. The board must balance reach and depth when approving a final distribution plan.
Next steps: Gina will return to the board at the next meeting with a narrowed set of options reflecting the board’s preference for a mid‑range number of awards.