Knox school officials will be better equipped to respond to off-site emergencies, thanks to some recent donations from Starke Hospital. Last week, the school board accepted a $500 donation for the purchase of emergency bags.
“What these bags would be used for is it would have medical supplies, it has batteries, flashlights,” explained Superintendent Dr. William Reichhart. “The hospital donated over $2,000 worth of medical supplies that we can stuff these bags. We’ll put one in each school building, and then if there is an emergency, then the administrator, the principal, assistant would grab that bag and go to the scene with it.”
The Knox School Board also accepted a $300 donation from the Starke County Sheriff’s Department, to cover negative lunch account balances at the elementary school. The Sheriff’s Department was able to give $300 to each of the county’s three elementary schools, thanks to a “No Shave November” fundraiser.
Treasurer Dawn Bailey said that with these types of donations, school officials simply pick a day and anyone with a negative account balance at that time has their debt wiped away. She added that a recent round benefited about 600 students.
Board President Gary Dulin asked about the potential of families taking advantage of others’ generosity. Reichhart downplayed those concerns, noting the number of students who are truly in need. “I think it speaks highly of our community because one thing since I’ve been here is there have been lots of donations for student lunches,” Reichhart said. “It’s a high need, and I think if we have the money, even though there may be some parents who are playing the system, so be it. Let’s not worry about them. But we’ve helped 595 families out in our community to do the right thing, and I know they appreciate it.”
He added that every student who wants a hot lunch receives one, regardless of whether they have money in their account.
