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Schools

Private WWS Fundraising Group Looks to Improve School's Athletic Facilities

Group representative tells District 200 School Board all improvements will be paid for with private funds.

Families of current students and alumni of Wheaton Warrenville South High School are looking to launch a private fundraising effort to enhance the outdoor athletic facilities at that school.

Paul Molino on Wednesday introduced the District 200 Board of Education to the concept of the Red Grange Athletic Complex Fund at Wheaton Warrenville South.

Although in its infancy, the organization plans to raise money to enhance the football field, build a storage facility, a new soccer and lacrosse field, renovate the track and create a practice area for the school’s marching band, Molino said. He said the organization wants to give back to a school that means so much to the community.

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Molino said the group, which currently consists of about 10 members, would not advance its efforts without approval from the board of education.

“We want to create a long commitment to Wheaton Warrenville South (WWS), but did not want to get carried away without your approval,” Molino said.

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Molino, who has two children at WWS and one at , said whatever projects the fund can undertake will be paid for entirely with private monies.

“I am here to assure you we do not want your money,” he told the board.

He said the group would pay a professional fundraising organization to conduct a feasibility study to determine the scope of what is possible to achieve, especially given the current economic climate. Hoping to raise millions of dollars, Molino said his group has the support of the WWS booster clubs as well as the school’s athletic department and administration.

Molino said the fundraising effort would target four pools of money: Current students and their parents, future students and their parents, alumni and corporate sponsorships. The funds would be collected and administered by DuPage Community Foundation.

The board did not take action at its meeting Wednesday. Board members questioned the group's short- and long-term plans and some expressed concern over how the fundraising effort would impact other school programs, particularly the arts.

Board member Barb Intihar wanted to know what a private fundraising effort at WWS would mean for the facilities at Wheaton North and would facilities at the schools be “grossly different.”

Board member Ken Knicker said there is a precedent for the district partnering with a private organization. He said the baseball field at Wheaton North, which he described as the finest in the athletic conference, was a private gift to the school.

Board President Rosemary Swanson said the board will continue to discuss the possibility of approving the efforts of the Red Grange Athletic Complex Fund. She said it could take several meetings before final approval is given.

Any funds raised for projects at the school would have to be approved by the school board, Superintendent Brian Harris said.

Individuals interested in donating to the WWS fund can contact Molino at paul@rmmslegal.com.

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