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Board unanimously approves Los Altos Educational Foundation annual grant MOU
Summary
The Lhasa School District Board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Los Altos Educational Foundation (LAEF) formalizing the foundation's partnership and grant process for 2025–26.
The Lhasa School District Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 2025–26 memorandum of understanding with the Los Altos Educational Foundation, formalizing years-long fundraising and grantmaking partnership between the district and the nonprofit.
Heather McDonald, executive director of the Los Altos Educational Foundation, told the board the foundation has raised funds for the district for more than 40 years and has contributed nearly $62,000,000 to the district since its founding. McDonald described the foundation as a parent-led nonprofit representing all nine schools and said LAEF seeks transparency through FAQs, annual reports and public filings.
District staff outlined the MOU as a clarifying document to define roles and expectations between the foundation and the district. The board had one public comment card submitted for the item; Heather McDonald and two LAEF board members, Krista Sanders and Emily Harris, attended to answer questions.
Trustee Vladimir moved to approve the memorandum, Trustee Stella seconded, and the motion carried unanimously with no abstentions. Board members thanked LAEF volunteers and staff for fundraising efforts that support district programs.
The board did not discuss specific grant awards or funding lines during the MOU vote; McDonald said LAEF posts detailed financial information online and is audited by an independent firm. The MOU approval formalizes the operational relationship but does not itself allocate district funds.
