Record $1.5 million raised for Menlo Park schools Record $1.5 million raised for Menlo Park schools (July 06, 2005)

** A total of $200,000 will go to a technology initiative.

By Marjorie Mader

Almanac Staff Writer

The Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation has done it again: set a record in its annual grant to the Menlo Park City School District.

A total of $1.5 million in private gifts will be given for school programs in the fiscal year that started July 1, said foundation president Jill Parker in a presentation to the school board June 23.

The previous record of $1.2 million was set last year.

The grant represents 6.5 percent of the district's $23 million budget, said Carol Orton, president of the school board.

Most of the money -- $1.3 million -- will go for continuing support of libraries, technology, hands-on science and music programs at Laurel, Encinal, Oak Knoll and Hillview Middle schools.

The K-8 school district has about 2,170 students enrolled.

Part of the grant will help fund the "Excellence in Teaching Initiative," created last year for training and professional development of teachers. Money also will be spent to promote the growth of the foundation's endowment to fund the initiative.

This year, the foundation has earmarked an additional $200,000 to purchase equipment and ancillary furniture to support integration of technology into educational programs. These funds also will be used to develop a professional training center for personnel in the district office.

Trustees unanimously accepted the grant and expressed appreciation. A formal acceptance ceremony will be held in the fall after students, teachers and families return to school.

"The foundation and the PTOs (Parent Teacher Organizations) are the backbone of the incredible volunteer infrastructure of the community that accounts for not only their direct contributions but our successful parcel tax campaigns," said Trustee Terry Thygesen.

Foundation grants and parcel taxes now provide almost 25 percent of the budget.

Superintendent Ken Ranella called the foundation's grant "extraordinary."

A nonprofit and all-volunteer organization, the foundation has raised more than $10 million over the past two decades.

For information, go to www.mpaef.org.

Where the dollars go

The basic $1.3 million grant from the Menlo Park-Atherton Foundation is targeted for the following programs:

** Hands-on science. (K-8): $ 150,492 for support personnel, facility costs, and instructional supplies, equipment and materials.

** Technology. $460,487 for personnel and facilities within elementary tech labs; plus leadership and facilitation for the broadcast studio and necessary facilities at Hillview.

** Libraries. $474,021 for librarians at the four schools, plus supplies and materials.

** Jeanie Ritchie Grants. $50,000 to support educational projects designed by teachers.

** Excellence in Teaching Initiative. $100,000 for training and professional development of teachers and the certificated staff, and for promoting the growth of the foundation's endowment for excellence in teaching.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.