Once a Bear… Always a Bear
John Baum was a graduate of Butler High School in 1938. Mr. Baum and his wife Juanita went on to live their lives in Illinois, Arkansas, and Florida. While most of us were not able to know Mr. Baum personally, our community will benefit from his memories of Butler and the relationships that were formed during his time in the Butler R-V School District.
About a year ago we were notified that the Butler R-V School district was named as one of the recipients of Mr. and Mrs. Baum’s Trust. Over the next few months, details began to emerge just how fortunate our district would be. The portion of the Baum Trust that was given to the Butler R-V School District equals just under $1.5 Million dollars! To say we were surprised and ecstatic would be an understatement. Someone who we have never met felt his experience in our school district merited him naming our district as a beneficiary. We are thankful and humbled by the generosity of the Baum Family.
The most interesting part of the donation is that Mr. Baum specified the money must be earmarked for athletics. We can only speculate that Mr. Baum created some powerful memories with his coaches and teammates that spurred this donation.
So, we ask anyone that may have information about Mr. Baum to please let us know. We have researched a bit ourselves, but have found little pertinent to his story. Also, the District would like to use this generous donation as a springboard for a No-Tax Increase Bond Issue to be on the ballot in the upcoming April Election. While there will be many other non-athletic items addressed with the potential funds, we would like to add to the funds from the Baum Trust to build district owned baseball and softball facilities near the existing football stadium, creating the Butler Memorial Athletic Complex.
There will be more details on official ballot language forthcoming, but the non-athletic items that will be on our wish list to address include, but are not limited to:
-Security Upgrades
-Teacher Technology Investments
-Paving the service drive behind the HS and improving parking
-Improving the elementary library entrance
-Addressing and improving seating for our band during football games
-Upgrades for the HS Auditorium
-Improving, constructing, repairing existing facilities
In conclusion, thanks to the kindness of the John Baum family, the district is prepared to move forward with a no-tax increase bond issue to honor the request of Mr. Baum while simultaneously improving and upgrading many areas of the district. There will be more details out soon! It’s a great day to be a BEAR!!
-Darin Carter, Butler High School
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