PAXTON — The Paxton-Buckley-Loda school district has received a $100,000 anonymous donation to help fund the renovation and remodeling of PBL High School’s science lab.
The donation will go toward upgrading equipment, improving safety features and creating a more modern, collaborative environment for students and teachers, Superintendent Travis Duley said, expressing gratitude for the contribution and the positive impact it will have on students.
“We are incredibly thankful for this anonymous donor’s support,” Duley said in a news release. “Although it will not fund the entire project, this generous donation is a big step toward allowing us to provide our students with a state-of-the-art science lab, enhancing their learning experience and preparing them for success in the sciences. It’s truly an investment in our future.”
The PBL school district had planned to renovate the lab space in the near future, but the large donation should allow the district to complete that project in a more timely manner, Duley said. The district will begin initial planning for the project this spring, Duley said, with the hope of completing the project in summer 2026 or 2027.
“This is a game-changer for our students,” Duley said. “The ability to work in a fully modernized space will hopefully spark excitement for science and help us continue to provide the best possible education.”
Duley said the sizeable donation — possibly the largest single donation in local school district history — came unexpectedly from someone who asked to remain anonymous.
“As a district, we emphasize the value of relationships, and this is a perfect example of that,” Duley said. “Our ultimate goal is to offer the best opportunities for our students, but achieving that often comes with financial challenges. Donations like this one play a crucial role in making it possible.”