Batesville, Ind. — Two new programs to supplement student learning at the Batesville Community School Corporation will be implemented by the Batesville Community Education Foundation during the 2017-18 school year.
“BCEF’s mission is to provide additional funding for innovative learning opportunities at the Batesville Community Schools,” Anne Wilson, director of the Batesville Community Education Foundation said. “These two new programs are definitely beyond what you’d find offered at most other schools, and we’re thrilled to be able to provide these financial resources for our students.”
The Andy Koors Legacy Fund has been established using a donation arranged by former Batesville High School German teacher Andrew “Andy” Koors. Also, through money from the estate of Viola M. Bruns, a select number of students who are enrolled in advanced technical programs through the high school will have their associated certification costs covered through scholarships.
Andy Koors was the Batesville High School German teacher for 33 years. After his passing, the foundation was informed that he had arranged for the proceeds from one of his life insurance policies to be donated to the foundation in the case of his death. His family had also asked for individual donations in his memory to be donated to the education foundation.
“Those of us associated with BCEF were humbled to find out that not only had his family chosen our organization to receive donations but that Andy had named BCEF as the beneficiary of one of his life insurance policies,” Wilson said. “Andy had a long history of supporting education and helping students — whether it was spending extra time working with them on their German skills or taking money out of his own pocket to help finance students’ study abroad foreign language programs when their own funds fell short. He truly was a generous soul. Our task now is to utilize that money in ways that reflect his commitment to our mission. One way to do that, the BCEF board has decided, is to establish an Andy Koors Legacy Fund with some of the money. That money will be used in a way yet to be determined, but it will most certainly focus on his love of foreign language and how he would have wanted us to help students. We hope to announce the details in the fall.”
Money provided from the estate of Viola M. Bruns will be used for scholarships for high school students who are working to receive certification in technical programs that can benefit them after graduation.
