The Blue Springs School District has more than 190 Adopt-a-School partners that impact our schools and students. The partnership highlighted at the October Board meeting is one that started first as a business relationship and became a great benefit for the students at Lucy Franklin Elementary.

When Coach Fred Brooker won the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year for the state of Missouri he was awarded $10,000 to be spent at his school. Coach wanted the money to be spent in a way that would impact all of the current students and those for generations to come. Through discussions and planning, and a dream of Coach Brooker, LFE decided they wanted to build a track for students behind the school. At that point, a long-time and trusted vendor was called. David Smith of Tandem Paving had a strong and long-reaching relationship with the school and had bid and completed many jobs.

The District asked David to take a look at this "small job" and he agreed to take it on. He donated more then $30,000 in materials and labor to make this dream a reality. There was no cost to the school and the district as the money came directly from the Wal-Mart gift to Coach Brooker, but only with the help and generosity of David could this track have been completed. David was presented a Partner of Distinction Award from our Board of Education.

"It was so unexpected to see the entire school staff and students as well as many parents lining the track with pom poms, while members of the Blue Springs High School Golden Regiment Marching Band played," Smith said.  "What tremendous school pride the staff, students and parents have. I spent my entire primary and secondary education in the Blue Springs School District.  The district has a long tradition of employing so many wonderful educators such as Mr. Brooker. I would like to thank the entire Lucy Franklin staff and student body for allowing me to be a part of that special ceremony."