Family donates $168,000 to Waterloo schools for library materials; board accepts gift

The Waterloo Community School District board on Dec. 9 accepted a $168,000 donation from the estate of Donna Bartley Reid to pay for books and materials in district libraries. Kathy Reed, the donor’s daughter, spoke at the meeting and said her mother credited the district with fostering her love of learning.

Reed told the board her mother, who lived most of her adult life in California, remained connected to the community where she was raised and intentionally left funds to support school libraries. “She wanted to give back to the school district because she really credited the district with her education and her success in life,” Reed said.

Board members thanked the family for the gift and noted its lasting impact on students. The board moved and approved the superintendent’s recommendation to accept the estate gift. The vote was taken during the public portion of the meeting after Reed’s remarks.

The donation will be used at the district’s discretion to purchase books and library materials across grade levels; the estate did not specify a restriction to elementary or high school libraries. Board members emphasized they would steward the funds to benefit students across the district.

The meeting record shows the board unanimously approved the superintendent’s recommendation to accept the donation. The matter will proceed under normal district gift acceptance procedures and be reflected in upcoming budget and grant reports.