Partners in Education (PiE) donated a total of $1.89 million to the Palo Alto School District during the March 28 board meeting. The district will distribute the sum among all 17 schools when enrollment numbers are released on Sept. 13.

Last year, Gunn received a $30,000 to $40,000 donation from PiE, most of which was spent on fees for substitute teachers during Camp Anytown and half-time tech support staff. Gunn received $125,000 this year—some of which will be deducted for the new staff. The remaining funds will be spent on upgrading school technology.

“The plan that has been agreed to by the Instructional Council is to replace the L14-A lab with new Mac computers that will match up with some of the newer machines currently in L14-B,” Principal Noreen Likins said. “We also plan to update the two very old PC labs (P-20 and IA-1) with one new PC lab. We may also have enough funding to make mini-labs in some classrooms.”

Elementary schools have typically received more funds than secondary schools because parents are more involved. This year’s direct appeal campaign in the form of letters resulted in a 12 percent increase in donations.

While primary schools received $1.35 million, secondary schools received only $540,000. Elementary school students received $280 each, compared to secondary school students who received $90 each. “The school district will wait until the eleventh day enrollment numbers come in, in Sept., to determine the exact amount each school will receive,” PiE Director of Public Relations Simone Otus Coxe said.

PiE’s priority next year will be increasing donor participation rate. “We want to increase contributions at the secondary schools, so that we can in turn give them a larger gift,” PiE president Susan Bailey said.