When most of the financial news for local school systems these days is grim, education foundation support for students and teachers is one notable exception.

The Pell City Schools Educational Foundation has given more than $29,000 in grant money to teachers this week.

That’s not a small sum, especially considering how lean school system budgets across the entire stare are this year.

And the money is given to teachers — the very people who know best how to spend it to help enhance the education for our children. According to Pell City Education Foundation President Jason Goodgame, that need is particularly apparent in the lower grade levels for reading materials to meet Alabama’s Reading Initiative requirements.

The grant money, which is generated from interest revenue from donations made to the foundation, covered 71 grants systemwide. That’s a lot of instructional and educational assistance for so many of Pell City’s students.

The foundation splits the grants awarded between elementary and secondary education, so children at all grade levels will have an equal opportunity to benefit from the generosity of the foundation.

Every year, countless teachers have been awarded grants from the foundation, which has now given out more than a quarter of a million dollars to educators in Pell City for use in their classrooms.

Pell City’s is not the only education foundation helping schools — similar organizations operate for school systems across the area.

The Pell City Education Foundation and all of the similar organizations in St. Clair and Talladega counties should be commended for their work. It takes a tremendous effort on the part of the foundation members to raise the money and manage the grant-application process.

Likewise, these essential organizations could not operate without the support and financial backing of businesses and individuals. It’s their donations that build up the accounts that generate the interest revenue to fund the grants.

The Pell City Education Foundation and its counterparts have become essential in maintaining the highest quality of education for children here and we encourage the communities to continue to support their work.