The estate of a former teacher in the Southwestern Consolidated Schools system has made two sizable donations to the southern Shelby County school system.

At Wednesday’s school board meeting, Superintendent Joshua Edwards accepted a $50,000 donation for Southwestern Elementary School on behalf of the estate of Gary Roupp, who retired in 2007 from the elementary school.

“It is to be used however we see fit,” said Edwards Thursday morning of the notification that came with the donation.

Roupp’s estate also donated more than $35,000 that will be used to overhaul the stage in Southwestern High School’s gymnasium, which is used for productions, athletic events and graduation.

The project will include new curtains and improvements to the lighting and sound system, according to Edwards.

Roupp (photo) passed away on Dec. 14, 2022, at Silver Oaks Health Campus in Columbus, Indiana. He was 69 years old.

Roupp was a 1972 Columbus North graduate and attained degrees from Franklin College (1976) and Indiana University (1981). He retired in 2007 after a 31-year teaching career.

Southwestern also received a donation of $2,500 from the Blue River Community Foundation Hometown Fund to assist with the school system’s “Summer Feed and Read” program.

Also Wednesday, the school board approved a $51,500 proposal for floor improvements at Southwestern Elementary School.

The board also gave Edwards permission to hire staff as needed prior to the July and August public board meetings. Edwards stated the school system is currently seeking bus drivers, a custodian and teacher assistants.

Southwestern is currently fully-staffed for all of its full-time teaching positions.

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