Board spotlights volunteers and running clubs; Foundation readies Forest Hills 5K on May 9

The board dedicated significant time to special recognitions, hearing from elementary running-club members and principals who presented Volunteer of the Year awards for multiple schools.

Elementary students described running club benefits: social time with friends, goal-setting, improved focus and confidence. Students who spoke included Bo, Finley Lusky (Summit Elementary), Margaret Keith (Mercer), Travis Langevin (Wilson Elementary) and others; their remarks emphasized inclusion and the positive social and health benefits of the after‑school program.

Principals and school leaders recognized dozens of volunteers by name and described specific contributions — for example, Kim Baumgardner at Anderson High School, Kim Akman at Ayer Elementary, Neelam Haynes/Khan at Maddox, Caroline Keith, Debbie Lemon, Courtney Preiser, Tracy Smith, Amy Heis, and Mona Hale — noting roles ranging from organizing events and operating school stores to managing spirit wear and fundraising activities.

Representatives of the Forest Hills Foundation for Education, Amy Dunleavy and Lindsey Wider, provided details about the Forest Hills 5K on Saturday, May 9: the event is a community fundraiser and family run/walk; volunteers are needed (organizers said it takes about 300 volunteers to stage the event); a pre‑party is scheduled April 30, and selected student artwork (by Gavin Hill) will appear on pickup bags. One speaker noted a numeric goal that was stated inconsistently in the record and therefore is not reported as a specific dollar target here.

Board members and staff applauded the student speakers and the volunteers; the meeting moved on after public recognition and a foundation outreach report.