Bren Gives $700,000 to Irvine Schools

As part of a matching gift to preserve art, music and science education in Irvine public schools, the Donald Bren Foundation gave the school district a $700,000 check Tuesday.

The money was presented to trustees even as Irvine Unified School District officials counted ballots Tuesday night from an election on a proposed parcel tax for recreational facilities to aid the financially strapped district.

Officials for the Bren-owned Irvine Co. announced that the company voted for the school district’s proposed Recreation Improvement and Maintenance District. Because of its vast landholdings, the company represents about 23% of the eligible votes within the maintenance district.

If the measure receives a simple majority of the votes, each Irvine property owner would be charged about $48 per year, raising $3.2 million a year to offset cuts in state education funding.

Even with the Irvine Co. announcement, school officials said they would not presume the measure has passed until every ballot is counted and all legal challenges have been defeated.

“Obviously, from a district perspective, we appreciate a yes vote from whichever corner it comes,” Supt. Dean Waldfogel said. “But we’re a long way from celebrating anything at this point.”

Final results of the election will be announced today.

The Bren Foundation check is part of a $25-million, multi-year commitment to improve Irvine Ranch schools, company officials said.

Irvine Unified also has received substantial donations from the Irvine Public Schools Foundation for enrichment and class-size reduction programs.