The Latta Schools Educational Foundation recently announced that it has topped the $1 million mark in gifts and pledges to the initial phase of its 2012 Capital Campaign. Designed to support the renovation of the 1954 Latta High School Gymnasium into a state-of-the-art performing arts center and other construction, programming and scholarship projects, the campaign got its start with an initial gift of $800,000 from Fred and Bonnie Ellis. Both Fred and Bonnie (Ard) Ellis are Latta natives and graduates of Latta High School.
The Foundation has been in existence for approximately two years and its sole purpose is to support the Latta Schools. It also has ownership of various properties in the Latta community valued at $315,000 as additional assets. It currently has a restricted fund balance of $135,000 and unrestricted fund balance of $60,000.
Earlier this year, a Foundation led executive campaign committee began phase one of the fund raising campaign by approaching potential donors with gift proposals. This volunteer committee consists of district personnel, board members, foundation members, and community members. Most of the proposals are asking for a five-year pledge, but donors may structure a gift in many ways. In-kind gifts are also welcome. Large gifts carry the right to name all or part of a Latta School District facitlity. In fact, the size of the Ellis gift gives them the right to name the auditorium for a person or persons of their choosing.
Phase two of the campaign to secure an additional $1,000,000 begins with this announcement and encourages any community member to make a gift or pledge. Phase three will begin in the fall and will involve challenging businesses, industries and organizations to support the campaign. A final phase will be seeking donations from alumni.
The Latta Schools Educational Foundation entered into this campaign to help offset a period of declining state and local revenues earmarked for the Latta School District now ranked as one of the poorest school districts in the state based on taxable assessed property. But even with this poverty challenge, the word “excellence” has often been associated with the Latta Schools.
So it is the Foundation’s hope that Latta will have the resources to continue its tradition of excellence for years to come.
Four areas of critical need have been identified by district leaders as having a priority for keeping Latta’s schools on the cutting edge. These areas are the construction of a performing arts center, a few safety projects, a programming endowment, and a scholarship endowment.
Additional funding for these projects will be the main focus of the current capital campaign.
Although exemplary fiscal stewardship through the years has placed the Latta School District in an enviable position, it has become increasingly difficult to stay on the forefront at current funding levels. Adequate funding in the four areas mentioned above will allow Latta to continue giving its students the opportunity to make a positive impact on the future.
All gifts to the Latta Schools Educational Foundation are 100% tax deductible.
For more information or to pledge, please call the Latta School District at 843-752-7101 or visit the district website at www.dillon3.k12.sc.us and view the Latta Schools Foundation link.
