Hudson’s Bay — The School of Piano Technology for the Blind received a $78,963 grant to assist in funding a succession plan to recruit, mentor and train a new director of instruction.
The current director, Don Mitchell, has been with the school for 43 years. No retirement date is set. The grant comes from the Gibney Family Foundation, a Vermont-based organization which awards grants to nonprofits which help foster independence for those who are blind.
Cheri Martin, the school’s executive director, said in a release from the school that the grant will allow for a smooth transition whenever Mitchell does decide to retire, and that the position it too critical to the school to be left vacant.
Kim Capeloto, chair of the school’s board of trustees, said the grant is two-thirds of the funding for the succession plan. He added that the school is working with other philanthropically motivated organizations and people to try and secure the last third of funding for the plan.
