Photograph by Robert Scheer
Art docent Sarah Lougren helps students with a project. The Art Docent program will be funded by a grant from the Saratoga Education Foundation.
By Tim Persyn
A new computer lab, a music and science specialist, and the art-docent program are just some of the ways the Saratoga Union School District will benefit from Saratoga Education Foundation's Major Grant for the 1996-1997 school year.
The grant, this year for $318,613, is the foundation's primary annual donation to the district, its sole beneficiary.
"The grant is essential," said school board president Cindy Ruby. "The foundation has changed its focus from funding things that are nice to funding things that students need."
This year's grant was the largest the foundation has ever given.
Among the list of items funded by this year's grant, Redwood Middle School will receive 32 Power Macs, a library media specialist, and a part-time media center technician.
Ruby said that the grant will allow sixth-grade students at Redwood to have a semester of computer courses on up-to-date equipment.
At the elementary schools, the grant will fund a music and science specialist, small group instruction centers and library aides.
Jill Van Hoesen, who will take over as president of the foundation in June, said the foundation's priorities are to channel private-sector resources to district schools, to promote excellence in education and to involve the community in the needs of the school district.
"These grants give things to the district that make it that much more special," said Van Hoesen.
Van Hoesen said the foundation was founded in 1982 by community members and parents concerned about budget cutbacks to schools. The foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises money throughout the year for its Major Grant.
The annual "Phone-a-Thon" is the foundation's biggest fundraiser. The foundation also runs a grocery certificate program, a jog-a-thon at Redwood, and a business partnership program.
To determine how the grant will be spent, the foundation meets with district officials to identify needs. The district then writes a proposal with a list of programs, equipment and services that school officials think would be appropriate for funding.
The foundation evaluates the list and picks items that will provide a well-rounded education while keeping donors happy.
Superintendent Mary Gardner said that without the foundation funding, the district's students would lack such programs and services as vocal music, fully staffed libraries, and an updated computer lab at Redwood.
Dale Borgeson, vice principal at Redwood, said his school was able to make quick strides in developing technology due to the foundation's past funding. "If it wasn't for the foundation, the process would have been greatly slowed," he said.
Ruby commented, "The grant has made a big difference to students."
This article appeared in the Saratoga News, June 12, 1996.
©1996 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved