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Edmonds School Foundation outlines workforce training, summer meals and arts fundraising work with Mountlake Terrace
Summary
The Foundation for Edmonds School District told Mountlake Terrace council it used ARPA funds and community partnerships to run paid internships, summer meals and to help preserve some music and arts classes; foundation staff described program results and plans for additional fundraising.
Deborah Brandi, executive director of the Foundation for Edmonds School District, told the Mountlake Terrace City Council on Jan. 23 that the foundation’s recent partnership with the city supported workforce training, summer meals and school fundraising efforts across the Edmonds School District.
Brandi said the foundation used a $48,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant from the city to run an on-the-job training and employment program that served 29 Mountlake Terrace High School students with paid internships at 21 employer sites, including public works, videography, construction and health-care placements. She said the program pairs dual-credit coursework with paid internships and offers a $2,000 scholarship at the end of the senior year for students who complete the pathway.
The foundation also described large-scale community fundraising and direct program spending. Brandi said the annual Monster Mad 5K event in Mountlake Terrace drew more than 1,400 participants, raised net proceeds and distributed $33,000 in classroom and school grants to participating schools. For summer meals, the foundation said its Bicentennial Park site served between 39 and 81 children per day and that, across all summer sites, more than 5,200 lunches were served; the program also provided weekend meal kits for families.
Brandi reviewed the foundation’s campaign to preserve arts and music programs after district budget cuts. She said the foundation raised about $280,000 toward a $1.5 million goal for the “Save the Arts” campaign; another foundation contributed roughly $300,000, which together helped preserve drawing, drama and visual arts offerings districtwide. The foundation focused its own funds on music and said it helped save seven music courses at middle- and high-school levels and provided clinician support at Mountlake Terrace High School.
Brandi said the foundation expects continuing funding needs, noting uncertainty in the state budget and upcoming district labor bargaining. She said the foundation plans a second fundraising round with a longer runway of materials and events beginning in May. Council members responded with thanks and questions about volunteer and partnership opportunities.
Brandi invited council members to the foundation’s next fundraising breakfast on Feb. 28 and said the foundation will continue outreach about volunteer delivery of weekend meal kits and pop-up pantry assistance.
