DEMOPOLIS &045; Westside Elementary School was announced as the winner of this year’s Schoolfest annual fundraiser at the teacher’s institute held on Tuesday.

Demopolis City Schools Foundation Director Jan McDonald said, not only did Westside raise the most money out of all the city schools, they also set a Schoolfest record by raising $12,726. Principal Connie Brown and Schoolfest board members Barbara Hill and Yancena Perry were on hand to accept an award in recognition of their efforts.

The total contributions for this year’s Schoolfest amounted to $30,592, McDonald said. This total is up by $450 from last year’s fundraiser.

McDonald also said that the foundation will distribute $55,000 in grants this year, which will make the total amount of grants disbursed $650,000 since the foundation began in 1993.

The institute was also a time for Superintendent Wayne Vickers to welcome teachers to the 2007-2008 school year. This will be Vickers’ first year serving as superintendent.

Vickers congratulated the teachers from all four Demopolis City Schools on their part in helping achieve AYP status for 2006-2007.