FROM STAFF REPORTS

State Senator Cam Ward recently presented $11,500 in grants for Alabaster schools. Ward made the announcement as he toured several Alabaster area schools visiting with faculty and staff to learn more about their budget needs.

The grants, which were awarded to Thompson Middle School, the Sixth Grade Center, and Thompson Intermediate School, will be used for multiple educational purposes. Ward said the donations will help the schools keep up with their instructional needs in the face of some of the highest student growth rates in the county.

“Both Thompson Middle and the Sixth Grade Learning Center expressed a need to purchase new teaching equipment for their classroom instruction, and I am glad I was able to play a small part in helping them,” Ward said.

Thompson Intermediate School teacher Ann Harrison contacted Ward about her interest in continuing her 4H educational experience for her students. She said the school needed more funding to continue the program so every student would have an opportunity to participate.

“Although this grant does not cover all of the costs, I hope it helps somewhat with making this program accessible to more students,” Ward said.

The grants come at a time when schools are facing an unprecedented shortfall in funding for equipment and school supplies. The funding for school grants in Alabama comes from the Community Service Grant Commission, which is a part of the Alabama Education Trust Fund Budget.