By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Pelham’s schools are planning to purchase everything from iPads to sport facility upgrades after the Pelham City Council voted to donate a total of $84,000 to the city’s five schools.

During its Feb. 3 meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to make donations to Valley Elementary, Valley Intermediate, Riverchase Middle, Pelham High and the Linda Nolen Learning Center.

Of the $84,000 donation total, $60,000 was funded by the one-cent sales tax increase the council enacted in 2013 to support the city’s schools and $24,000 came from the city’s general fund budget.

The council’s resolution also allowed VES to use $49,299.66 already in a school account to help purchase iPad 2 tablets, educational kits and student recognition materials requested by the school. The $49,299.66 was approved by a previous Pelham City Council, but has not been used, said City Council President Rick Hayes.

The resolution also required principals at each of the schools to provide letters outlining how they plan to use the donations. Each school received donations based on their number of teacher units.

“This allows the schools to fund some facility upgrades that they desperately need, while also supporting the arts and several of our school clubs,” Hayes said.

PHS received $34,000 to purchase Elmo projectors, iPads and matching funds related to upgrades and repairs at the school’s football and baseball stadiums. PHS also will use the donation to provide support to several school extracurricular activities, school clubs and activities.

VES received $15,000 to fund speakers for smart boards and to help fund the purchase of iPad 2 tablets.

VIS received $15,000 to purchase “The Leader in Me” training materials, and to cover training sessions and training-related travel costs.

RMS received $15,000 to purchase computers, projectors, multimedia bulbs and to fund academic teams and student recognition programs.

LNLC received $5,000 to purchase iPads, laptops, Promethian Board bulbs and accessories and teacher workshops.