More than $4.5 million has been raised by Saratoga parents and community members to fund the PAL, but that total isn't enough because it doesn't cover the center's sound and lighting equipment.

The PAL is scheduled to be completed in July, but no sound and lighting were included in the base bid, according to Cathie Thermond, Saratoga High School Foundation co-president. The foundation, a nonprofit organization, was formed in November 2000 by parents, school representatives and members of the community with the purpose of supporting the school's programs.

The foundation's current focus is raising funds for the state-of-the-art PAL. The foundation has been assisted by the Los Gatos-Saratoga Joint Union High School District with $3.1 million in bond funds. Thermond said the total cost of the project will top $8 million.

Thermond said no foundation members, school board members or Saratoga High administrators knew the financial details. Thermond said they just incorrectly assumed that sound and lighting were included in the base bid.

"I never saw a list of sound and lighting equipment, but I just figured it existed," Thermond said.

Last month before one of their meetings, school board members took a tour of the facility, still under construction. Thermond noticed that everything was wired to accommodate lights and sounds, but they were not installed. That's when Thermond asked and learned from the architect that funds were still needed for sound and lighting.

The PAL does have some house lighting, but not the more technical equipment such as stage lights, spotlights, speakers, a sound board or a microphone, Thermond said.

"Given the rate it's taken to do everything else, if we start now, we'll have them in by the time school starts," Thermond said.

Bob Peterson, the district's chief business officer, estimated that sound and lighting could cost anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000, depending on the quality of the equipment. Thermond added they're not going to be able "to put in everything you could ever dream of," but equipment can also be added in the future.

"You need to have basic lighting and sound," Thermond said. "It's a performing arts center. If you can't see and hear, it's going to affect the quality of programs for people."

Thermond said foundation members, including herself and co-president Mark Stevens, are frustrated about the oversight and have been working with Peterson to go over all the numbers. Thermond estimated they still have about $500,000 to raise, which includes the cost of acoustics, sound and lighting. The foundation is prepared to cover about $200,000 of that.

"If somebody gives me the money, I can have [the sound and lighting equipment] installed in less than a month," Peterson said.

Thermond said the foundation won't recommend the PAL be opened without sound and lights. It could be used for some events, but not for theater productions, instrumental music or choral programs.

Thermond, who first started dreaming of the PAL when her son was in eighth grade at Redwood Middle School, has stuck by the project more than four years later. She is also a Saratoga Union School District board member.

Thermond said foundation members have been talking with Peterson because when the bond was recently refinanced, Peterson came up with an additional $1.6 million. But all of that may not necessarily be used for the PAL. Citizens Oversight Committee chairwoman Lorine Tetzlaff pointed out during a June 7 school board meeting that the bond money needs to be appropriated as it was intended and voted upon by the public, and she and her committee will make sure that happens.

During the June 7 meeting, district Superintendent Cindy Ranii said she's hoping she won't have to use a portable microphone on the PAL stage at Back to School Night in the fall. Ranii said Peterson will work closely with the foundation to make sure that doesn't happen. But Thermond's present concern is the end of this school year, not the beginning of the next one.

"It's very difficult because the vast majority of our funds have come from parents who have children in our district or the elementary school district, and in summer everyone takes off for vacations, which makes it more difficult," she said.

During the academic year, channels of communication in the school district are in place, but in the summer those channels break down. Thermond said the foundation is continuing to contact past donors, parents and community members. They have sent letters to those who have donated to the campaign. Everyone, no matter how large or small their donation, will be recognized on a banner when the PAL opens.

There are donating opportunities that include seat-naming for $2,500 and other incentives at higher levels. Thermond said the group has sold all but about 100 of the approximately 589 seats. Thermond said other opportunities, such as naming the dressing room, sound room, stage and kitchen, have also been sold. There are naming opportunities still available for items such as benches.

For more information or to donate to the campaign, contact Cathie Thermond at 408.867.3411, ext. 405, or cthermond@yahoo.com.