The Chillicothe R-II School District is now the proud owner of 70 acres of real estate near the Chillicothe Elementary School after the Board of Education voted last (Tuesday) night to accept the gift from the Chillicothe Education Foundation. The land, which is located north of State Highway 190 between Hornet Road and U.S. Highway 65, was purchased by the Chillicothe Education Foundation thanks to a generous financial donation from the Joe and Lenore Lambert Foundation. The property, school officials say, will eventually be used as the site of additional facilities when District resources become available.
“On behalf of the Board of Education, I would like to extend my gratitude to the Joe and Lenore Lambert Foundation, for its generosity and thank the Chillicothe Education Foundation for its steadfast support of the Chillicothe School District,” Superintendent Dr. Dan Wiebers said. He added that the District’s long-range plan of having all school buildings on one campus, may someday become a reality, thanks to this donation.
Using funds from the Joe and Lenore Lambert Foundation, the Chillicothe Education Foundation purchased the land from Dr. Donald Metry, Jr. and Cynthia Metry, and John Hutchinson. The gift marks the second of its kind from the Chillicothe Education Foundation. Twenty years ago, the foundation bought nearly 60 acres of property north of the high school where the Chillicothe Elementary School and the new Jerry Litton Memorial Stadium now stand.
Clint Williams, Board President, also voiced his appreciation to the Joe and Lenore Lambert Foundation. He noted that the foundation has a long history of supporting worthy local organizations and charities. He also offered a special thanks to Mike Turner, Chillicothe Education Foundation treasurer, for his unwavering support, commitment and dedication to the future of the Chillicothe R-II School District and community.