FLORIDA: The Bradley/Cleveland Public Education Foundation (BCPEF) met at the Star Center to discuss accomplishments of the past year, and approve the executive committee and officers for the coming year. A treat for foundation members, as well as representatives of the Cleveland and Bradley County boards of education, was a report from Lisa Eulo and Carol Dale on the new German-American Partnership Program.
Foundation President Matt Bentley and Cleveland School Board Chairman Tom Cloud presided over the meeting, assisted by foundation Vice President Vanessa Hammond, Secretary-Treasurer Catherine Boetner, and Business/Corporate Chairman Dr. Rodney Fitzgerald.Fitzgerald presented a brief discussion on the Excellence in Teaching award, which went to Lake Forest Middle School’s Jeremiah Pritchard.
A major topic at the meeting was the foundation’s request for additional support from the community’s two school boards. Bentley said foundation members do not feel it would be fair to ask the two school systems to pay the salary and benefit package of foundation Executive Director Lynn Voelz.But, the foundation is asking the school systems to increase funding for operational expenses from $15,000 to $25,000.Bentley emphasized the foundation invested $80,000 two years ago, which resulted in a gain of $90,000.
