Half million dollar donation creates new opportunities for SMMUSD

The Scott Family Charitable Fund recently donated $500,000 to the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation (SMMEF), the foundation's second largest donation since its founding in 1982.“We couldn’t be more excited to have the opportunity to accept this monumental gift. This gift is the largest ever from one of our District families, and it serves as affirmation of the critical importance of the Vision for Student Success [initiative],” Linda Greenberg Gross, Executive Director of the Education Foundation, said in a press release.The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) Board of Education will fully implement the Vision for Student Success initiative in the 2014-15 school year, a six-part fundraising plan that focuses on professional development for teachers, smaller classroom sizes and new enrichment programs.According to a press release, the SMMEF aims to raise $4 million annually, and the entire half million-dollar donation will be allocated to the Vision for Student Success initiative.According to the press release, the funding will allow Samo to obtain a professional development team and a $20,000 grant to support training for all staff members.“Well crafted professional development is important to foster and maintain an excellent teaching staff,” English teacher Meredith Louria said.In addition to enhancing professional development among Samo staff, the SMMEF will designate $80,000 towards science, math and artistic instructional programs.“The extra money can go toward after school tutoring programs, which are extremely useful. Also, [textbooks] and calculators are our first priority as [the math department has] so much trouble keeping up with all the lost and destroyed textbooks,” math teacher Steve Rupprecht said.According to Rupprecht, classroom materials and necessities are vital to a productive learning environment.“Many people would buy new computers and fancy technology. I’m most eager to see the classroom essentials taken care of,” Rupprecht said.In Sept. 2012, the Peggy Bergmann estate donated $4.8 million to the SMMEF, $2.4 million of which was distributed to arts programs in SMMUSD schools. According to Samo student Billy Shaffer (’15), donations such as those made by Bergmann and the Scott Family Charitable Fund ignite new optimism for district-wide success.“I’m excited to hear about this generous donation and hope it does great things for our staff, students and school,” Shaffer said.jstaraci@thesamohi.com