Dear Friends of L. Hollingworth School

On behalf of the students, families, and staff of L. Hollingworth School, thank you for your interest in learning more about our building needs and how our program can continue to expand opportunities for children and families in need throughout Toledo, Ohio.

L. Hollingworth School is a PK–8 public charter school on the Eastside (653 Miami Street, Toledo, OH 43605) serving approximately 315 students. Established in 2009, we are a recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and academically rigorous environment for every child. Our student population reflects the rich diversity of our community: 34% Hispanic, 25% White (non-Hispanic), 26% African-American, 14% Multi-Racial, and 1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Importantly, 100% of our students qualify for Free and Reduced Lunch, underscoring the significant economic challenges many of our families face.

Despite these challenges, we continue to show outstanding academic progress and were recently recognized by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce with the 2025 Momentum Award for significant improvement in growth and achievement on the 2024–2025 local report card. This recognition reflects the dedication, care, and hard work our teachers and staff invest in our students every day

For our students, school is far more than a place of learning — it is a hub of stability, nourishment, belonging, and growth. At the heart of that hub is our gymnasium.

Our gymnasium serves as the center of daily life at L. Hollingworth School. It hosts physical education classes, school assemblies, community programming, family engagement events, and our Breakfast and Lunch program. It is where our students gather to celebrate achievements, build teamwork skills, stay active, and connect as a school community.

Unfortunately, our gymnasium floor (105 ft. x 75 ft.) has reached the end of its usable life. Due to frequent use, sections of the floor have become unsafe and require immediate replacement. The current condition presents potential safety concerns for students and staff and limits our ability to fully utilize the space for programming.

After receiving preliminary estimates, we anticipate that the total cost of a full gymnasium floor replacement — including materials and supervised installation — will be approximately $95,000. However, please don’t be discouraged from donating; every little bit brings us closer to our goal.

Support for this project would directly impact all 315 of our students, including 51 staff members. A new gymnasium floor would:

Ensure a safe environment for daily physical education and school activities

For many of our students, opportunities for extracurricular athletics, safe recreational spaces, and community programming are limited outside of school. Our gymnasium provides that opportunity. Investing in this project means investing in student health, safety, equity, and community connection.

We are deeply grateful for your consideration of our request and your interest and commitment to supporting education and strengthening communities. Your partnership would make a meaningful, tangible difference in our children's daily lives.

We would be honored to provide any additional documentation, budget details, or project timelines upon request. Thank you again for your time, generosity, and thoughtful review. We look forward to the opportunity to come together in creating the safest and most supportive learning environment possible for our students. Moreover, please feel free to share our project with other people in the community and abroad who share the same commitment to supporting children.

With sincere appreciation,

T.C. Franklin

Superintendent & Founder

L. Hollingworth School