Kicking off a year of fundraising for schools

SOUTH GLENDALE — The Glendale Educational Foundation launched its third year of fundraising for Glendale schools on Thursday at a “State of the Schools” breakfast event that drew about 400 educators, business people and residents.

The foundation has brought in about $250,000 for schools in its first two years of fundraising, said John Sadd, president of the organization. This year the organization would like to gather $150,000, Sadd said.

“Since our inception, the community has been very receptive,” Sadd said.

Each year, the foundation chooses one of three areas to focus on. The first year it funded performing arts programs, the second year money went to science and technology activities, and this year the foundation will turn its attention to health and fitness.

The foundation is planning to supply secondary schools in the district with cardiovascular exercise equipment to promote habitual exercise among young people. The foundation will work in conjunction with the Glendale Unified School District, which will use money from a state grant to build fitness centers in secondary schools, said Mia Lee, treasurer of the foundation. The aim of the foundation is to rotate between funding arts, science and health projects each year, Lee said.

Attendees of Thursday’s event contributed to the foundation by paying for tables, which ranged from $250 to $5,000.

One of the foundation’s board members, Jarrett Anderson, told the audience that supporting public education should be regarded as an investment, not an act of charity.

“We are going to ask you to make more investments in this effort,” said Anderson, who appealed for funds at last year’s fundraising kickoff as well.

The event also served to update residents about the progress being made in the school system.

Supt. Michael Escalante gave a state of the schools address, presenting data that showed recent trends in student achievement.

The districtwide Academic Performance Index score has risen 73 points in the past several years — from 734 in 2002 to 807 in 2007, Escalante said. And despite having per-student funding levels below the state average, Glendale students’ average math and English scores outpace the state average, he said.

“We are very proud of the sustained growth and achievement that has been shown over the years,” Escalante said.