Community Chest Spotlight: Sewanee Elementary School

The 2012–13 Sewanee Community Chest Fund Drive is underway. The power of people helping people makes a difference in the life of the community. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money yearly for local charitable organizations serving the area. This year’s goal is $90,000.

Since 1867 there has been a long-standing relationship between the community and the public school. For years this voluntary community commitment maintained the educational system, such as St. Paul’s on the Mountain school and the school on Billy Goat Hill.

When the Sewanee Civitan Club (now the Sewanee Civic Association) was first organized, its objective of good citizenship included “a comprehensive program for the betterment and improvement of every phase of community activity.” This included providing school facilities. 

The Sewanee Public School was completed in 1927 through volunteer efforts and community funds. At that time, the Franklin County Board of Education agreed to pay the salaries of teachers in Sewanee, but did not provide a building because they were concerned about placing a public building on leasehold land. The University was unable to help at that time. The school building would be on a University lease, owned by the Sewanee Civitan Club, and operated by the Franklin County School Board.

In 1933, the community built the Roosevelt Addition. In 1943, more than half of the town’s Community Chest budget went to maintain the school, and pay for enrichment programs and school supplies. The county took over the maintenance of the school in 1955, when the building and land were turned over to the county as long as a school remained on that site. For a complete history of the public schools, see “Sewanee Sampler” by Arthur Ben and Elizabeth N. Chitty, 1978.

Now, the Sewanee Elementary School (SES) continues to rely on yearly funding from the Community Chest to meet the school’s needs. Money from the Community Chest is used for technology and software purchases, professional development, classroom supplies, new books for the library and school operations. This funding commitment has served to eliminate the need for door-to-door fund raising.

“Sewanee’s Community Chest goes far beyond what any public school could imagine,” said SES principal Mike Maxon. “While most schools are seeking ways to raise additional revenue by having their students participate in magazine sales, candy sales, etc., the Community Chest raises money for us. The teachers can concentrate on teaching, not collecting money each morning. The students can concentrate on learning, not selling products. Donations through the Community Chest do support the school,” said Maxon.

The Sewanee Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (SES PTO), a non-profit organization, requests and disburses the Community Chest funds each year for SES. All money received from the Community Chest is used for yearly support of the school. The SES PTO works with teachers and staff to find solutions to specific educational needs of the school that are not met by the Franklin County School system funding or services. 

The Community Chest currently funds almost 90 percent of the SES PTO operating expenses for the school. The SES PTO also receives money through annual dues and small fund-raisers such as T-shirt sales. SES receives additional money from school pictures, two book fairs and BoxTops. This year the SES PTO will receive $20,000 if the Community Chest goal is met.

SES always welcomes community members to art shows, musicals and science fairs. Volunteers are always needed to help in the library, teach Friday School or read to the children. For more information, go to <http://www.edline.net/pages/Sewanee_Elementary_School>.

The goal of the Sewanee Community Chest is to help citizens by funding the community. Donations to the Community Chest can be mailed any time to P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. For more information, or to make a donation through PayPal, contact <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com>.

[Editor’s Note: The Sewanee Mountain Messenger was founded in part by the Sewanee Civic Association; however, the Messenger no longer requests Community Chest funding.]