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By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock District 200 Education Foundation raised more than $45,000 at its annual Groundhog Day dinner and auction in February, when more than 330 people attended. Dozens of local individuals and businesses contributed as sponsors.

And then COVID-19 arrived.

Proceeds from the event support the foundation’s Impact Grants program for special classroom projects, field trips, and equipment. When the pandemic halted in-person school attendance, $15,973.41 still remained for the previously awarded spring 2020 grants. This money is held until future consideration.

“The foundation has decided not to host the Groundhog Day event in February 2021 for obvious reasons,” said Kevin Lyons, D-200 director of communications. “The members have also chosen not to host a virtual fundraiser, since they are dependent on the generosity of local businesses, which are currently facing serious economic issues.”

Jennifer Thomas, co-chairwoman of the foundation, thanked those supporters.

“We would like to express our sincere appreciation for all the local businesses for their support and generosity,” she said.

The decision to cancel the annual fundraiser will not stop the organization from continuing its work. Board members, who have met virtually since April, are using the money raised last February to fund teachers’ requests for 2020-21. The application period for teachers is open until Nov. 30. The awards can be used anytime through May 28. Grants will be allotted for requests of materials to enhance classrooms’ online learning experiences or any other creative use of resources.

“In the spirit of using creativity, the D200 Education Foundation partnered with D-200 alumni and Read Between the Lynes book store for the ‘Color Our Libraries’ program,” Thomas said. “It was a unique book drive used to increase diverse representation of authors as well as main characters of color in every library collection within District 200.”

One board member provided an interesting perspective.

“I’ve been witness to the pandemic as a parent of two D-200 students, the spouse of a D-200 teacher, the assistant director of the Woodstock Public Library, and a D200 Education Foundation member,” Martha Hansen said. “I am incredibly proud at how our community has come together to support one another and how responsive the D-200 administration and teachers have been in meeting the needs of the district’s students.”

“We are pleased that we have been careful enough to have monies this year without putting any added pressure on our supporters,” said Jaci Krandel, foundation co-chairwoman. “We look forward to the time when we can celebrate D-200 educators and volunteers as well as fundraise at our normal fun Groundhog Day dinner auction.”

Community members are invited to participate on the D200 Education Foundation Board. The contact address is president@d200edfoundation.org.

Staff Report NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

More than $95,000 will be spent for 10 new elevator phones in seven schools of Woodstock School District 200.

The Board of Education last month approved the purchase with the district’s life safety funds for ADA compliant, hands-free emergency elevator phones from Otis Elevator Co. The district needed only approval from the Illinois State Board of Education to have the phones installed.

The former phone provider, Call One, had notified school officials that it was discontinuing service on outdated analog phone lines that were in use at Woodstock and Woodstock North high schools; Creekside Middle School; Olson, Prairiewood, and Westwood Elementary schools; and Clay Academy.

n Agreed to a two-year lease for the farm land the district owns on Raffel Road. In 1991 the district bought 120 acres, where Woodstock North was built 15 years later. But that project left 34 tillable acres that the board has leased to KRC Farm since 2007. The new lease for $140 per acre will provide $4,760 in rental income each year of the new lease. n Approved a Title I School Improvement Plan for Northwood Middle School in the 2020-21 academic year. That program provides educational support and resources designed to raise the achievement of students in the lowest-performing schools. The plan needs additional approval from the State Board of Education.