courtesy of Anna Weldon/ special to the Town Crier The Los Altos Educational Foundation hopes to raise $1.55 million for the Los Altos School District for the 2006-2007 school year. From left: (Back row) Gil Porat, Cindy Walden, Robyn Fay, Jay Gill, Jay Gerstenschlager, Jim Stroud, Mark Boennighausen, Mike Milliken, Julia Erwin-Weiner, Anna Weldon. (Middle row) Rupal Mehta, Shobana Gubbi, Anita Manwani-Bhagat, Teresa Kersten, Vicki Moore, Katie Wiederholt, and front, Mike Stanley.

The Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) announced its new board for the 2006-2007 school year June 7. Board members come from the parent community representing the schools within the Los Altos School District.

The board’s charter is to drive fund-raising programs, community outreach and awareness in support of overall educational foundation goals.

Board members for the 2006-2007 school year include: Kim Gavenman, Jay Gill and Teresa Kersten representing Almond Elementary; Ed Baer, Jessica Lisi and Vicki Moore, Blach Intermediate School; Mark Boennighausen, Connie Miller, Katie Roper and Heather Wimmer, Covington Elementary School; Rupal Mehta, Jay Gerstenschlager, Michael Stanley and Katie Wiederholt, Egan Junior High; Shobana Gubbi, Indu Singla and Anna Weldon, Loyola Elementary School; Eric Docter, Nick Fravala and Mike Maciag, Oak Elementary School; Anita Manwani-Bhagat, Julia Erwin-Weiner and Cindy Walden, Santa Rita Elementary School; and Michel Milliken, Gil Porat and Jim Stroud, Springer Elementary School.

For the 2006-2007 school year the educational board will try to meet a $1.55 million commitment to the Los Altos district. The money will enable the district to fund teachers and aides to maintain smaller class sizes and enrichment programs such as technology, science, art, music and physical education for K-8 children. Two new programs, supporting key writing and science initiatives, will be introduced districtwide.

Over two decades, the educational foundation has increased its annual goal twentyfold to make up for declining state funding. Without the foundation funds, programs would not be possible.

“We are delighted to welcome new and returning board members to LAEF for the 2006-2007 school year,” said LAEF Executive Director Robyn Fay. “Without the energetic contributions of these individuals in helping drive key LAEF goals and of course, the ongoing support of the parent community within the Los Altos district, the educational gains our children receive would not be possible.”