[UPDATE] Chapman Teacher Request Surprises District

A request by a Chapman first grade teacher caught the school district by surprise Monday morning. That's when central office employees saw a story on about an online request for donations to purchase furniture.

School Superintendent Greg Florio said late Monday that he hoped the request would have first been brought to the district's attention. "Nobody ever came forward," he said.

"There is generally an approval process for fundraising," Florio continued. "If there were an issue (for needed furniture), we have a priority list for replacement," he said.

The fundraising request by teacher Joanne Kotlarz was posted on DonorsChoose.org. Her request for about $600 would pay for two book benches, she wrote.

More than half that amount had been raised by Monday afternoon, according to a tally on the website. The fast response caused Kotlarz to recently post this comment on the site:

"I can't thank the wonderful parents of Chapman School enough. It's no wonder we have the greatest students, because they have the greatest parents. I love our classroom and our school. I am overwhelmed by your generosity. I was truly only hoping for corporate sponsors. A heartfelt thank you to each of you."

Kotlarz said she requested the funding from the donation site because she didn't want her students to have to sit on the floor during their reading lessons. She said the school budget didn't contain funds to provide the book benches. 

The school district's budget request for $63.2 million for the 2012-13 school year is now being reviewed by the Town Council. The council is scheduled to vote on April 10 on both the Cheshire School District and Town of Cheshire's general operating budget.