Greene commissioners give schools $50,000
At a meeting on Thursday morning, the Greene County commissioners gifted each of the county’s five school districts a $50,000 grant to improve security and emergency preparedness.
“The single most important asset is our children,” said Blair Zimmerman, the commissioner chairman. He said he is honored to award the districts with the money to improve the safety of the schools.
The money came as a complete surprise to the school superintendents.
Joe Orr, the superintendent for Jefferson-Morgan, said he and the other districts were informed of the grants the day before the meeting.
“These grants allow us to put money directly into our kids,” said Fred Morecraft, the Carmichaels area superintendent.
To finalize the grant process, each school district will fill out an application, stating what they intend to do with the money, said Jeff Marshall, chief clerk.
After the meeting, the superintendents expressed their gratitude and eagerness to plan improvements.
The grant comes from Act 13 funds. These funds are a collection of fees, paid by producers of drilling in the county’s gas wells.