Big night for school supporters Big night for school supporters (April 08, 2005)

Extra helps fund music, arts, science, athletics

By Kathy Schrenk

Graham Middle School seventh-grader Jo Smith-Nilsson plays violin, bass and piano. Her piano lessons are taught by a private teacher, but she gets to indulge her passion for music with the string instruments in the school's jazz band and strings group, thanks in part to the Mountain View Educational Foundation.

The foundation helps fund arts, music, after-school sports, physical education and hands-on science programs in the district's schools, said foundation president Amy Beare. One of the foundation's big fundraisers, Monte Carlo Night, held Saturday, was "a huge success," she said, with about 350 people attending.

The event's auction alone raised more than $14,000, and ticket sales brought in another $10,000 or so, she said. The event itself was paid for by Microsoft, so all the money raised went to the foundation, she said. Plus, it allowed parents to meet and have a fun evening with teachers and staff, who come to the event for free.

"It's an event that serves two purposes," she said: "To remind us that we're part of one district, and we support each other and come together to support commitment to schools."

Each year, the foundation pledges hundreds of thousands of dollars to the district to help pay for elective programs, said Rebecca Wright, finance chief for the Mountain View-Whisman School District. Some money for the programs comes from the district's parcel tax, but that money can't cover the whole cost.

"Without funding from the foundation, these programs would not be available at the same level," she said. "It's a significant enhancement to our programs."

Monte Carlo Night is just the beginning of the foundation's fundraising efforts for next year's programs, Beare said. In May, the foundation holds a golf tournament, and over the summer the foundation's biggest push is a direct appeal to families.

Raising money for next year will be more important than ever, Beare said. The decision by the school board last month to wait a year before closing Slater School will cost the district $700,000, she said.

Losing the after-school and elective activities would be devastating for some students, Smith-Nilsson said. "It would be really bad. It would affect a lot of kids."

The programs give music lovers like her another creative outlet and allow students who might not otherwise get into music have a chance to learn.

"It makes going to school worthwhile," she said.
E-mail Kathy Schrenk at kschrenk@mv-voice.com.

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