Matching Fund Set for School Improvements

Parent-teacher associations and other community groups that want to improve the physical condition of local schools now can apply for matching grants from the Orange Unified School District.

Trustees created a $200,000 fund for such grants in the $145-million budget they passed last month for the 1998-99 fiscal year.

The new program was inspired by the tireless fund-raising efforts of the Serrano Elementary School’s PTA, which collected $20,000 from “jog-a-thons” and other benefits to buy classroom air conditioners. In May, the school board agreed to match the funds so the new cooling units could be installed.

The fund will be limited to physical improvements at schools, Assistant Supt. David Perry said.

Community groups can seek up to $20,000 for projects to improve campus buildings. A cap of $15,000 was set on grants to replace movable equipment, such as computers, and a limit of $10,000 was put on new equipment.

Principals of the district’s 37 schools will officially request the grants, after detailing the sources of funds and the proposed purchase.

Funds raised by Associated Student Bodies and other student groups will not qualify.