The Hamilton School District received a check in the amount of $35,502.31 from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.  The payment reflects the distribution of the Twin Rivers State Forest receipts for fiscal year 2015-2016. During the year, the Department collected approximately $6,928,736 from the operation of state forests, including 5.3 million from the sale of timber and $1,355,060 in recreation fees from over 2 million visitors. The 12 counties that are home to the income-producing state forests receive 15% of the gross receipts from a state forest in proportion to the acreage located in each county. Based on the fiscal year 2015-2016 gross receipts, a total of $446,372.24 is being distributed to Florida Counties and school boards.

 “These funds are extremely important to a small rural district such as ours to assist in providing needed services and materials to our students” remarked Hamilton Superintendent of Schools Rex Mitchell.  He also expressed his gratitude to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer services for making these funds available.