City Donates More Than $344,000 to Schools and Service Providers
Brentwood, Tenn. – Over the past 35 years, the City of Brentwood has awarded more than $6 million dollars to Williamson County Schools that serve Brentwood students. Schools use the money for non-recurring costs such as books, technology, and special projects like the Computers on Wheels program. Over the past three and a half decades, the City has also provided more than $2.1 million to local recreation and community service providers.
At its regular City Commission Meeting on Monday August 23, 2021, the City presented representatives from the twelve Williamson County Schools within the Brentwood area with checks for $238,785.
In attendance at the Monday night regular City Commission meeting were several Williamson County School Principals and School Board Representatives. Seventh District Representative Shelia Cleveland said, “we appreciate the funding that the City of Brentwood provides each year. It helps schools in Brentwood to be able to provide students with additional resources which help students excel in school.” Superintendent Jason Golden, said “we very much appreciate the ongoing support of the Brentwood City Commission, both financially and in so many other ways” said Golden. “This financial support supplements academics, the arts and athletics for these schools and their students.”
Brentwood and Ravenwood High Schools received $62,400 each while Brentwood, Sunset and Woodland Middle each received $15,600. Crockett, Edmondson, Jordan, Kenrose, Lipscomb, and Scales Elementary schools were also awarded $10,400. Sunset Elementary was awarded $4,785 due to its lower percentage of Brentwood students enrolled.
Dr. Pam Vaden, Principal at Ravenwood High School said she feels grateful for the extra funds. “Our budgeting for technology, band instruments, and athletic needs goes well beyond the monies received from the District. I am grateful for a community that prioritizes education as number one,” Dr. Vaden said. Last year the school used the funds for a new scoreboard for the gym, along with funds from the PTO and the Ravenwood Athletic Club. This year, as Ravenwood enters its 20th year, Dr. Vaden said technology, furniture, and equipment has surpassed its usefulness. “Our new addition to be completed by August 2022, will be equipped with the technology needed to go into the next decade. Our plan is to upgrade our classrooms in the original building to match,” she said.
Jordan Elementary Principal Chad Walker, Ed.S. said, “our students and teachers have benefited from their generosity. The donation provides an opportunity for us to enhance teaching and learning and provide a quality education and service to our community. Since the school’s opening four years ago, we have funded library books, technology, music, art supplies and materials, and a variety of curriculum enhancements. This year we will use the funds to expand our STEM activities and reading intervention materials. We are appreciative of the support provided by the City of Brentwood.”
Woodland Middle School Principal, Dr. Patrick Boyd said, “we are so thankful for the continued financial support from our great city. We have utilized these funds to replace obsolete classroom SMART boards with interactive learning panels. The technology upgrades have allowed us to integrate new applications as well as record and curate lessons online for students who are absent from the classroom.”
VIDEO: Lipscomb Elementary School Uses City Funding to Boost Teacher Voices While Teaching during COVID
Also, at Monday night’s meeting, the City presented three recreation programs and two community service providers with a total of $105,250. City Commissioner Anne Dunn said the extra funding will help improve services provided to Brentwood residents. “These contributions to service providers are just that,” Commissioner Dunn said, “money provided to groups which provide services in lieu of the city having to do it. This serves the residents’ needs and saves tax dollars in terms of staffing costs and time.” Among the list of those organizations to receive money this year is the Fifty-Forward Martin Center, Brentwood YMCA, Brentwood Ball Club, Brentwood Blaze Youth Football, and Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency.
The Brentwood Blaze organization was thrilled to receive the extra funds especially during the Covid epidemic when outdoor sports were the only thing some kids could do. Blaze President Paul Edwards said in the past they have used the funds for new steps for the press box and concession stand improvements. “This year some of the money will go to Crockett Park for new flooring in the meeting room. The remainder of the funds will go towards new helmets for our players as we want them to have the best equipment, especially protecting their heads,” Edwards said.