In his last official duty, outgoing SchoolPower Endowment president, Tom Addis, presented Laguna Beach school officials $87,531 for this year’s teacher grants, says an announcement.
Altogether, SchoolPower and its endowment contributed a record-setting $972,086 to the local school district for the 2015-16 school year, including previous donations and one yet to be awarded, says Schoolpower Executive Director Robin Rounaghi.
Twenty grants were awarded to 38 teachers for projects ranging from a 3-D printer for high school science teacher Carrie Denton to a bone identification lab for Michelle Martinez at Thurston to funding a garden for Tammi Mays and Mary Blanton at El Morro.
“The teacher grants show the creativity and passion our teachers bring to their job every day, benefitting all LBUSD students,” said Addis.
School board president Bill Landsiedel also praised the grants program, saying it “spurs innovation.”
Besides grants, SchoolPower Endowment also gave $50,000 for foreign language, bringing its total contribution this year to $187,531.
Outgoing SchoolPower president Amy Kramer presented an additional check for $385,905, which helps the district keep classes small, funds music and counselors and other needs. Of that, $85,905 is from donors who designate funds towards a specific teacher or program.
For more info: visit www.lbschoolpower.org or call 949-494-6811.
