By Kris Leonhardt

Editor

MARSHFIELD — During the March 8 meeting of the Marshfield School Board, Board President Marlene Stueland announced that private donations will cover the cost to hire a consultant to coordinate fundraising for proposed improvements to athletic facilities that will include a new multisport complex.

In February the board voted 5 to 1 in support of a $3.5 million financial commitment to the project while planning to match $1 for every $2 raised through the community to reach the $10.5 million upgrade projection. Thus, $7 million would need to be raised privately.

Originally, fees of the consultant were to come from the district budget, but they will now be funded through charitable giving.

“You will recall that we were looking at consulting or signing an agreement with a company or group to do that work for us,” said Stueland. “We were informed at the Finance Committee meeting that by all indications that there will be private donations to support the cost of the fundraising consultant services and that the district will not be needing or using district funds for that as originally discussed.”