Fulton Middle School makes plans to spend $40,000 Dollar General donation

Since Oct. 30, Fulton Middle School Principal Chris Crane has faced what he described as a "nice problem" - how to best utilize the $40,000 donated to the school by Dollar General.

In the months since Dollar General presented Crane with the check to be used to promote literacy, Crane said he and his staff have talked about several different options.

Crane said one of the first uses for the funds will be to re-establish the after-school MAP tutoring program.

"We've had it here in the past, but as finances get tighter, you have to start making cuts, it's the extra programs that go first," he said. "This allows us to put that back."

Crane noted one of the reasons districts struggle with offering after-school programs is the logistics - and expense - of providing transportation for participating students.

"With these monies, we can provide that," he said.

Crane said the tutoring will be aimed at students who are within five to 10 points from achieving the next level.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.