By Anna Guido
Enquirer contributor

FINNEYTOWN - For years, the Finneytown Schools Educational Foundation has been working quietly to make a good school district better.

The volunteer group of nearly 300 people has raised more than $1 million since its inception in 1986. The money has paid for books, band uniforms, computer software and stadium lights. The goal: to spread funding evenly among academics, arts and athletics.

High School Principal Dr. Gregg Tracy said educational foundations are not uncommon, but the extent to which Finneytown's performs is different.

"Good programs become better because of their involvement," Tracy said.

Finneytown foundation grants used to supplement the school district's capital budget. Recently, however, the foundation voted to take a different approach by identifying specific projects for fund-raising.

The first - called the "Pride Project" - is a five-year plan to upgrade the high school's McNulty Stadium and track, refurbish five science laboratories, and improve the William R. Swartzel Performing Arts Center.

Past president Rick Payne said alumni, who donate most of the foundation's money, appreciate that the funds are spent on a wide variety of needs.

"In fact, the reason I personally got involved in the foundation is because of its well-rounded nature," he said.

Work on the stadium - about $700,000 worth - is under way and includes track resurfacing, a new entrance, ticket booth, storage building, fencing and "Wall of Fame."

The high school science labs, which haven't been upgraded since the school was built in 1961, will get $500,000 for more efficient lighting, better work spaces and "Smart Screen" computerized blackboards for class instruction.

The current labs are "a logistics nightmare" with little room for hands-on work, said veteran science teacher and alum Dr. Rick White. "We're falling all over each other," he said.

The high school performing arts center, which is used for school and community events, will get a sound system, new curtain and other upgrades. Theater director Shawn Maus said the center was state of the art when it was built in 1974.

"We don't even have a decent microphone to plug into our podium," Maus said. "On our wish list, sound is our top priority."

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