History of the Barnesville Area Education Foundation
The Barnesville Area Education Foundation was founded in 1979 under the leadership of Lodge J. Hanlon, a longtime member of the local school board. After serving on the board for eight years, Hanlon recognized that schools often had important needs that could not be met through regular revenue sources alone. The Foundation was created to help fill that gap by providing funds for local education systems and students that might not otherwise be available through public funding.
From its earliest years, the Foundation has supported projects and purchases that directly benefit students and teachers. These have included physical education equipment, an auditorium curtain, risers for the chorus, equipment for Project Lead the Way STEM activities, activity tables for project-based learning, and assistance with educational trips, including Model United Nations and class trips to Washington, D.C. One of the Foundation's first purchases in 1980 was an early computer for the school system.
Over time, the Foundation's impact has grown significantly. What began with $2,500 in cash and $19,000 in pledges has grown into a fund valued at more than $2 million. By 2014, the Foundation had provided more than $250,000 in grants, with funding continuing to support school needs, student opportunities, and educational enrichment.
A major source of support for the Foundation has come from memberships and pledges from alumni, friends, and community members who understand the value of education. Additional support has come through bequests, donations, and occasional special fundraisers.
As the fund has grown, the Foundation has expanded its work to include scholarships, teacher recognition awards, and the Barnesville Schools Hall of Fame. Its scholarship funds include the Zunick Fund, the Barbara Baker Hootman Fund, the Skinner Family Scholarship, and the Bob and Dorothy VanDyne Scholarship. Together, these funds have provided approximately $65,000 per year in scholarship support and more than $1 million over the Foundation's history.
The Foundation also recognizes outstanding educators through awards funded by the organization. Teachers may be nominated by peers or principals, with special recognition given to those who go above and beyond for their students. The Skinner-Bailey "Extra Mile Award" honors exceptional teachers and includes a monetary prize for the selected recipient.
Since 1984, the Foundation has also helped preserve and celebrate the legacy of Barnesville graduates through the Barnesville Schools Hall of Fame. Each year, one or two alumni are selected for induction based on notable achievements and contributions.
For more than four decades, the Barnesville Area Education Foundation has served as an important partner to local schools, students, teachers, alumni, and the wider community. Its work reflects a lasting belief that community support can have a meaningful impact on education and student achievement.
