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Blanchester board approves grants, donations to fund softball upgrades and names field and stadium
Summary
The Blanchester Board approved Vallee grants and private donations to fund Putman Elementary shade structure and softball field upgrades; trustees also recommended naming the softball field "Claire Ledford Field" and the softball stadium for Rodney "Butch" Whitaker after receiving $5,000 gifts from each family.
The Blanchester Board of Education on March 17 approved grants and private donations to fund athletic- and facilities-related projects and recommended two honorary namings for the district's softball facilities.
Under a single motion to accept the "Business of the Board," board member John Panetta moved and board member Kathy Gephart seconded a package of routine donations and project approvals that included a Vallee Grant of $21,789 for a Putman Elementary shade structure and a Vallee Grant of $25,000 for a softball field project. The board also accepted multiple smaller athletic donations and booster contributions.
Why it matters: The Vallee grants and private contributions will underwrite facility improvements that affect student activities and outdoor spaces. The board paired two $5,000 donations earmarked for naming rights with recommendations to name the softball field "Claire Ledford Field" in honor of Claire Ledford and to name the softball stadium for Rodney "Butch" Whitaker, both described in the motion as lifelong community members and Blanchester graduates.
The motion to accept all items under Business of the Board carried with all present voting in favor; Chris Baker was recorded absent. The agenda item recorded the Ledford Family and the Whitaker Family each donating $5,000 to the Athletic Department to support the naming rights.
Board documents also approved disposal of a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban with a bad transmission to be scrapped, and authorized travel for the Blanchester'Great Oaks FFA to the Ohio FFA Convention and Expo in Columbus April 30'May 2, 2025.
The board did not record extended debate or public comment tied to the naming recommendations during the meeting minutes. The district will proceed with the naming and project steps approved under the Business of the Board motion.
