William V. Campbell grew up in Homestead, attended Columbia University, made his fortune as an early innovator in Silicon Valley and has since give back around $20 million to his hometown. His most recent donation is the funding of the new $4 million, 17,000 square foot William V. Campbell Education and Recreation Center at Barrett Elementary School.
"Barrett stores approximately 318 students. The new facility allows us to have five new classrooms, a computer lab, a production stage, a phys ed office, an office for the Director of Elementary Education, a full gymnasium, an elevator and new bathrooms," says Dr. William Kinavey, superintendent of the Steel Valley school district.
Mr. Campbell began making his decision to contribute to the new facilities at Barrett several years ago, after realizing that Homestead was receiving significantly less funding than the Munhall district, where there are more students.
The new facilities were designed by architects
Lami Grubb, with the assistance of Shawn McCallister, Steel Valley's athletic and activities director. The center was built over the summer, and was ready for the first day of school on August 26.
"It's huge," says Dr. Kinavey. "We had a tiny little gym, so the space alone is the biggest issue. We have the best computers in the world. It's a great environment for children."
In addition to the new facilities, Mr. Campbell's generosity has allowed the 1,800 student district to possess 1,700 Apple Computers, which Dr. Kinavey says would be impossible without the financial assistance.
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Source: Dr. William Kinavey, superintendent of the Steel Valley school district
Writer:
John Farley