From the gift of Arnheim to renovation of the high school locker rooms, gymnasium and more, the Foundation is working to assist with RCPS facility needs.
Heather Bell
RADFORD – The former home of Dr. John Blair Radford has been undergoing a systematic interior renovation under the watchful eye of the Radford City Schools Partners for Excellence Foundation, and the renovated space will soon provide much-needed space for Radford High School.
The Foundation recently gifted Arnheim, once the home of the city’s namesake and now known as the Dr. Minnie Lee Dean Center, back to the Radford City School Board for use by the school system.
As the transfer of ownership proceeds, the Foundation is continuing a litany of work on the mid-1800’s brick home to make it a visually appealing, usable space for students and staff. Fund-raising efforts also continue to complete the work, which has already reached a cost of $75,000.
“To date, thanks to so many generous donors, the Partners for Excellence Foundation has received funds, and donations of labor and materials, totaling approximately $75,000, and we estimate that there is a need for an additional $100,000 to fully finish the project,” said Steve Cox, chairman of the Foundation. “The Partners for Excellence Foundation is fully committed to raising this funding to provide to the school division.”
“We are currently in the process of transferring ownership of the Dr. Minnie Lee Dean Center to the school division as we continue those fund-raising efforts,” added Foundation board member Lee Slusher, who is also a member of the school board, but does not vote on Foundation issues that come before the board. “The school board and [Superintendent Robert] Graham will begin discussion of the best use of Arnheim for the division at the August [school board] retreat.”
Graham said whatever the use, the extra space is much needed.
“We are in dire need of space at RHS,” said Graham. “With our move to a more innovative and integrated approach to learning in RCPS, we have added courses and with our enrollment increase, this gift could not have come at a better time.”
Arnheim is just one of the projects the Partners for Excellence Foundation is currently undertaking. The Foundation, through donors, is also renovating the locker rooms at the high school with larger plans to renovate the gymnasium.
“We are in currently fund-raising for remodeling the locker rooms,” said Slusher. “Mr. George Harvey and Mr. Dick Cook, both wonderful Bobcat supporters, kicked off this campaign by donating $10,000 each. The gymnasium will follow after locker rooms are completed.”
Foundation board members and Graham all expressed the importance of public-private partnerships like the Foundation and their increased importance as facility needs increase and funds are limited.
“The Foundation’s Board believes that we share a community responsibility to provide opportunities for Radford’s children to be the very best they can be, especially in an every-changing world,” said Slusher. “Learning environments that produce a skilled and highly qualified workforce is not what it used to be. Additionally, state funding is nowhere near what children need as they move into adulthood in the 21st century; therefore, we must turn to the private sector for support if we want to maintain a high quality school system. Investments in education will have far-reaching effects and lasting rewards for our community.”
“Our Board of Directors is compiled of very devoted individuals who will always go the extra mile to provide our school students with the absolute best that we can possibly offer,” added Cox.
Graham said he is thankful for the support of the community to the schools.
“I am overwhelmed by the generosity of this community when it comes to our school division,” he said. “We could not maintain the consistent success we have each year without that support. The Partners for Excellence Foundation is a great example of this community support. They have rarely said no to any of my requests and work tirelessly to provide, as best they can, everything our students and staff members need.”
The Foundation is looking to the Bobcat community to continue its efforts. To make a donation, contact Slusher at lslusher@rcps.org, or mail a donation to: Radford City Schools Partners for Excellence Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 355, Radford, Va 24143.
