By Council member John Moss to head campaign
Members of the Los Altos Cultural Association have announced they are raising the curtain on a fund-raising effort to enhance theater buildings currently under construction at Los Altos and Mountain View high schools.
Both schools are currently undergoing major remodeling with funds provided by a 1995 bond measure. However, while the funds are available for the basic structures, outfitting and equipping the new facilities requires additional district funds or contributions by private citizens.
The tallest and most visible buildings under construction are the performing arts theaters at each school.
These 350-seat auditoriums are designed to enrich performing arts activities from music to drama and dance, and will be available for communitywide productions.
However, an estimated $300,000 is needed to equip the new buildings with projection, lighting and sound equipment, curtains, raisers, back drops and acoustical enhancements.
A committee’s being formed to raise the funds under the aegis of the Los Altos Cultural Association. The team includes former Los Altos City Councilman John Moss as chairman; Judy Hannemann, trustee in the Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District; district Superintendent Rich Fischer; Mountain View Principal Pat Hyland and Los Altos Principal George Perez.
“A good high school education includes exposure to and opportunities in drama, choral music, instrumental music, production, direction and all aspects of the performing arts,” Moss said. “Our high schools have the staff to teach but without theaters equipped to enable these experiences to happen, our students won’t get the education they deserve.”
Others active on the initial committee are John Reed, Dick Hasenpflug, Paul Van Buren, Paul Nyberg, Mary Marley, Los Altos Councilman Lou Becker and Firooz Ghaffari.
“I know first-hand that the performing arts programs in our schools are an essential part of a young person’s education,” Moss said last week. “Properly equipping these new facilities is a must.”
Target date for completion of the two new performing arts theaters is October.
