Greenland district raises $22,000 at fundraiser

BY MARSHA L. MELNICHAK Northwest Arkansas Times

Supporters of Greenland Public Schools raised $22,000 in cash Saturday, said Debbie Groom, wife of school board President Bill Groom. “It far exceeds what they thought they could do in one day,” Debbie Groom said. In addition, the district has received $43,000 in pledges in the last two days, she said Sunday evening. The Greenland Board of Education planned the “Save Our School” day of fundraising to show the Arkansas State Board of Education how dedicated the community is to keeping the schools open. The $22,000 represents proceeds from all of the events and activities held Saturday to raise money to pay off the school district’s debt. The state Board of Education will meet at 9 a.m. today to consider a plan to force a neighboring district to annex Greenland schools due to financial problems. The Greenland Board of Education has a goal to raise $321,000. Last week, interim Superintendent J.J. Gardenhire said Greenland could finish next year in the black if two conditions are met: The district must receive it - Thursday, July 17, 2008