Investing in Opportunity: A New Driver’s Ed Car for Botkins Local School

At Botkins Local School, we believe in doing what’s best for our students—whether that means offering strong academics, valuable extracurriculars, or practical life skills. One of the ways we help prepare students for the real world is through our in-house driver’s education program—one of the last school-based programs of its kind in our county and one of the oldest continuously operating school-based programs in the state of Ohio.

Thanks to a generous $9,999 grant from the Louise Sheets Fund through the Community Foundation of Shelby County, we were able to purchase a much-needed upgrade for our program: a “new” driver’s education vehicle. Our previous car, a 2010 Ford Focus with nearly 200,000 miles, had served us well but had reached the end of its road.

Why This Matters

A safe, reliable vehicle is absolutely essential to keeping our driver’s education program running. Without it, students wouldn’t be able to complete the behind-the-wheel training they need to earn their driver’s license. And getting that license is more than a rite of passage—it’s a gateway to opportunity. It means access to after-school jobs, sports practices, school events, and greater independence.

By providing driver’s ed in-house, we’re also helping families by offering a more affordable and accessible option. It’s just one more way we prioritize our students and remove barriers to success.

Powered by Community Support

We couldn’t do this without the incredible support of our community. Our families, staff, and local partners like the Community Foundation of Shelby County make programs like this possible. Their commitment to our students helps ensure that Botkins Local School continues to be a place where kids are put first, always.

We’re proud to invest in our students—not just in the classroom, but in life. And with the addition of this new driver’s ed car, we’re putting them on the road to a brighter future.