Almost $250,000 is sitting in a bank account, waiting to be distributed to Elmvale District High School (EDHS).
When the money will finally make its way there is still in doubt, but officials are hoping they can get a clearer direction by the end of August.
On Wednesday night, Springwater Township council voted to resurrect the committee that was responsible for recommending where money from the Elmvale District High School expansion project and fundraising initiative would be directed.
There is currently $242,215.44 in the account.
According to Briana Dean, the township's manager of recreation, parks and facilities, reconvening the committee shouldn’t be a major challenge. She says she’s been in regular contact with the public school board and those who need to be a part of the committee.
“There was a working committee that included one member of the community, one member of council, two staff, two school board representatives and the school’s principal,” Dean said. “The school board has said they’re OK being a part of the committee.”
At a council meeting on Dec. 6, 2023, Coun. Matt Garwood requested staff report back on the history of the Elmvale District High School expansion project and fundraising efforts, specifically what the community dollars were originally raised for, the manner in which the funds were collected and records kept.
Dean’s report said the EDHS expansion project goes back almost 15 years and began as a community initiative to help ensure that the high school, located on Lawson Avenue, remained in Elmvale.
In the fall of 2016, the community fundraising campaign was launched with the goal of raising $200,000.
Springwater council at the time guaranteed the fundraising commitment of $200,000.
A fundraising account was set up by the township and all donations were deposited into the account and charitable donation receipts were provided by the township.
Staff understood the initial goal of the fundraising committee was to provide enhancements that would serve the students and the community. The money was raised originally to provide additional funding to improve facilities and equipment in smaller schools to match those available in larger schools.
The committee at the time outlined the following potential uses for the money:
- Enhancements not normally provided by the Simcoe County District School Board
- Things that will benefit students and enhance the community use of the school as a centre for local activities.
That committee also noted it was never the intention of the fundraising committee to prescribe in detail what should be done with the money raised; those decisions would be left to the EDHS principal and staff working in concert with the appropriate board staff.
Township staff will report back to council by the end of August.
