Staff writer
Kevin Wray, co-owner of Wray Roofing, Inc., of North Newton, began working on roofing projects for Goessel schools about 30 years ago, but his experience on a project this past summer gave him a new impression of school administrators and maintenance workers.
“They truly had a passion I had never seen before,” Wray said.
Their passion inspired him to make a $12,000 donation to USD 411 to replace an old football scoreboard. Superintendent John Fast was unsure how old the scoreboard was.
“I’ve been here 14 years, and it’s been here much longer than that,” Fast said.
The summer roofing project involved repairing hail damage sustained during a July 8, 2009, storm. The total project cost was $440,000, but it was paid for by insurance.
On Sept. 13, Wray made the 13-mile drive from North Newton — where his company has its headquarters — to Goessel to present the donation at a USD 411 Board of Education meeting.
Wray will be recognized at a football game after the new scoreboard is installed. Fast said he expected the scoreboard would be ready some time in late October.