Two local school projects received financial boosts in the form of Rising Sun Regional Foundation grants awarded at the March 26 quarterly meeting.

Batesville Community School Corp. leaders will use $10,000 toward the construction of a community fitness track around the playground area of the Batesville Primary School. A $9,000 grant will help Oldenburg Academy purchase a public address alert system.

In all, 20 new grants totalled $322,955.

Six other projects are in Ripley County:

* $27,380 to the Milan Park Board toward the renovation of a concessions building at its park;

* $14,850 to the Ripley County Historical Society for the creation of 26 historical signs to better educate both residents and visitors about the county’s rich history;

* $11,500 to the Town of Versailles toward the purchase of a “Think GIS” system to computerize outdated paper record systems;

* $5,000 to American Legion Post 235, Milan, toward the replacement of its community room roof;

* $5,000 to the South Ripley Community School Corp. toward its proposed One Book, One School reading comprehension project;

* $890 to the Milan Lions Club for the purchase of a sound system for community meetings.

The remaining dozen projects are in the Aurora, Rising Sun and Ohio County area:

* $50,000 to the Aurora Lions Club toward expenses associated with the 100th anniversary of the Aurora Farmers Fair;

* $40,000 to the Aurora Volunteer Fire Department toward the purchase of protective gear;

* $40,000 to the City of Rising Sun toward the purchase and installation of hardware and software to replace current emergency equipment;

* $20,000 to the Ohio County Highway Department toward the purchase of a new flat-bed trailer to haul equipment;