CL School District receives $1.15 million gifts

Elizabeth Thurtle, Marcia Connell estates will provide scholarships, support educational opportunities for students

    The Board of Education of Clear Lake Community Schools has announced that the District has been named in two estates. 
    The estate of Elizabeth P. Thurtle will provide an estimated $1 million for scholarships; the late Marcia Connell directed that $150,000 of her estate be given to the school district to support “educationally enriching experiences”, especially those that have been, or may be affected by budget cuts.
    Clear Lake Interim Superintendent Dwight Pierson reported the District received information from Matthew Berry, executor of the Elizabeth P. Thurtle Estate, that named assets in Thurtle’s estate will soon be transferred to the Clear Lake Community School District.  Though the exact amount of the estate is still to be determined, preliminary estimates find the trust to be valued at $1,007,934. 
    “Mrs. Thurtle’s will was very specific on the use of her Trust, with the major focus on providing scholarships for deserving students.  A Trust Committee has been established by the Board,” said Pierson.
    Trust Committee members are Sandy Christ and Deb Betz.  The Board of Education has entered into contract with Clear Lake Bank & Trust to assist the District in its management of the Trust.
    “The Board of Education is both humbled, yet thrilled that Mrs. Thurtle believed so strongly in her support of education by providing scholarship opportunities for Clear Lake graduates,” stated Board members.  “Her gift is one that will, for years to come, assist those persons who qualify to obtain a higher education at an accredited college, university, or trade school after graduating from Clear Lake High School.”
    A Selection Committee, consisting of all qualified and acting directors of the Clear Lake Community School District, the Superintendent of Schools, Principal of the high school, along with two teachers from the school district will be given the task to determine who will be eligible for receipt of a scholarship.
    Family members of the late Marcia Connell informed the School Board that Mrs. Connell had directed that a portion of her estate be given to the school district to support educationally enriching experiences, especially those that have been, or may be affected by budget cuts.
    Family members Tom and Jan Lovell wrote a letter to the Board of Education asking it to oversee the use of these funds, which are estimated at $150,000. 
    Pierson said the Board of Education is currently examining ways to use these funds not only for programs that have been reduced or cut, but for those programs which may enrich learning opportunities for all children.
    One of the first ways the funds are being used is to keep French as a course offering at Clear Lake High School.  At Monday night’s School Board meeting  the Board voted to return French teacher Sara Gutierrez’s contract to full time.  Earlier this year the board announced it would begin phasing out French and cut Gutierrez to .75.  The gift and quick action by the Board made it possible to offer two sections of French 1 this school year.
    “These two remarkable women’s genuine concern for children of this community and their gifts will enhance opportunities for children and graduates of the Clear Lake Community School District for years to come,” stated the Board.