Jordan Middle School parents, educators surpass $100K fundraising goal to upgrade auditorium

Inside David Starr Jordan Middle School’s auditorium, the concrete floor near the stage is uneven, many tiles are missing from the walls, and the lobby is drab.

Since the 1950s, the space has been used for regular class sessions, town hall meetings, school assemblies and major productions. Upgrades have long been sought, but district officials said no money was available beyond a new air-conditioning system.

In September, parents and educators launched an optimistic fundraising campaign that some initially scoffed at, according to Principal Stacy Cashman. The goal: to raise $100,000 to install a new speaker system, sound booth and lighting.

On Monday, the school announced they had exceeded that high bar, having collected about $112,000 from donors living locally or residing out of state.

“We thought $100,000 would be a hefty goal to reach but we wanted to ask for the moon,” said Gema Sanchez, a Jordan parent.

Sanchez worked with others, including fellow parent Suzanne Weerts, to co-chair a fundraising event showcasing current and former students at the auditorium in January.

That event alone succeeded in netting about $30,000 for the cause. An anonymous donor then pitched in another $50,000.

As the school came closer in approaching its goal, Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. offered a challenge: If the school could raise another $10,000 by Valentine’s Day, the company would pitch in a matching $10,000.

Jordan succeeded, and on Monday afternoon, Lisa Rawlins, senior vice president of public affairs for Warner Bros., presented the school with a $10,000 check.

“I think we surpassed our own expectations,” said Cashman. “It was such an incredible community effort to see everybody turn out and help us pass that goal… pretty much anybody who lived in this town who was within shouting distance of Jordan somehow got involved.”