Schools Foundation to Bury Time Capsule

The Foundation for Saline Area Schools is celebrating its 25th Anniversary by looking to future.

On June 12 at 9 a.m. at Liberty School, the foundation's trustees will bury a time capsule in honor of the organization's 25th anniversary. The capsule is to be opened in 2037.

Formed in 1987 under the leadership of Bruce Paxton, President and trustees Ronald Boldman, Scott Fosdick, Elaine Heiserman, William Lavery and Betty Washburn, the foundation has provided mini-grants and grants totally near $500,000.

Dr. Anne Balazs, a current foundation trustee, will welcome the community and school to the time capsule ceremony by recognizing the 25 years of history and challenge the foundation to continue their vision into the future.

"This is an important event for the FSAS as we celebrate our heritage and plan for the future," said Cheryl Hoeft, president of the foundation.

Members of the original board of trustees, and a member from the class of 2012, SAS plus Kindergarteners for 2011-12 will all place items in the sealed capsule. The time capsule will be appropriately labeled and marked for opening in 2037, when the kindergarteners will be 30 years old. Rachel Paxton, the granddaughter of the first president, Bruce Paxton, will represent the graduating class of 2012. William Lavery and Scott Fosdick, original trustees, will also place items in the capsule.

"The time capsule is a great way for us symbolize the long standing connection between Saline Area Schools and the foundation. Building on the traditions of the past, I look forward to a strong partnership for the next 25 years," said school district superintendent Scot Graden.

Balazs developed the idea of the capsule and collected FSAS memorabilia, plus copies of the 2012 graduation program, copy of local publications, Hornet memorabilia and pictures of foundation events to be placed in the capsule. At the annual Spring Recognition Reception in April, the attendees suggested items and all signed anniversary cards to the FSAS, which will be placed in the capsule.

Items to be placed in the capsule include:

• Video of the FSAS Historical Perspective; produced by Chase Stanton, Saline Community Television Network
• A foundation flash drive
• Numerous pictures of foundation activities-labeled with names
• Tickets to 2011 FSAS Winterfest and 2012 Read Your Heart Out fundraisers
• Foundation ink pen and sticky notes
• Saline Area Schools District Strategic Framework 2011-12
• Foundation 2012-13 Trustee and Officer list
• A list of grant awardees 2011 (fall)

The Foundation for Saline Area Schools is a non-profit organization that provides private funding to support academic projects, enrichment programs, and other activities aimed at enhancing the quality of education in the Saline school district. The foundation rewards excellence and innovation through distribution of individual teaching grants and funds for district wide strategic goals. Grants distributed by the Foundation serve as seed money for educational initiatives that cannot be funded by the general budget.