• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

'Time to Live' concert raises $14,073 for school district

JANESVILLE — The Janesville School District raised $14,073 in its first-ever concert promotion. The fundraising goal was $20,000.

"We thought it was a huge success," said organizer and school board member Lori Stottler. "It was a great night. It was fun."

The July 1 "Time to Live" concert at the Janesville Performing Arts Center featured pop composer Alex Call and Call's wife, professional singer Lisa Carrie, along with a band.

More than 300 tickets were sold, filling perhaps half the seats, Stottler said.

The money was raised through ticket sales, a silent auction, refreshments and CD sales.

The money will buy educational supplies, mental-health counseling and other items for homeless and otherwise at-risk students, according to the district's Web site.

District officials have not yet decided how the money will be distributed or how its specific uses will be determined, Superintendent Karen Schulte said.

"We are forming a committee to oversee the money and how it's going to be spent, Schulte said.

The $14,073 is clear profit because Quint Studer paid all expenses, including the performers, advertising, catering and CDs, Stottler said.

Studer is the CEO of Studer Group, the Florida-based company that has been working with the school district on a system to improve educational outcomes.

Studer collaborated with Call and Carrie to produce a CD titled "Passion and Purpose," copies of which were sold at the concert.

Stottler said band members enjoyed themselves, loved the hospitality and would come back "in a heartbeat."

The district might consider another fundraising concert.

Schulte noted that the first-ever summer-school musical, "West Side Story" drew good crowds, and she has floated the idea that the next fundraising concert could feature local talent.

"We have such talented kids. Maybe we should be doing something with that, and adults too," Schulte said.

Schulte is open to hearing from district music teachers or other who could spearhead such an effort.