SANFORD — Just over a year ago, some community members got together to figure out how they could help the city of Sanford’s schools.

They knew that despite a $92 million contribution from the state school construction fund and $11 million in local funds, not all the needs at the new Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center could be met. The school building itself is vast, with nearly seven acres of roof.

They also knew that there other projects that would need extra attention, like the transformation of the current junior high school into an elementary school, the expansion at another elementary school and the renovation project to convert the old high school into a middle school.

The group got together, formed the nonprofit Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation, and set to work.

“This is how do we fill the gaps,”’ said Allen Lampert, chairman of the Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation.

For the first six months they were aided by a consultant, funded by an anonymous donor, as some who were foundation members were not versed in how to approach people and corporations and ask for financial support, or which project to tackle first — but they learned.

The foundation embarked on a mission to raise money to provide equipment and more.
There have been naming rights for the gyms at the new high school, the Sanford Performing Arts Center, the library, the precision manufacturing lab and a host of others. There’s the new concession stand, and new equipment for track and field, because there simply wasn’t any. There were contributions to help equip the automotive department, and so on.

Companies in Sanford and the surrounding area, individuals and families have been generous. So far, contributions total about $1.1 million of the $2 million goal.

While opportunities at the new high school and regional technical remain available, the foundation is also looking ahead to the elementary and middle school projects.

What’s made the drive to help provide what the school district or state cannot, is belief in the effort, Lampert, Kendra Williams and David Jagger, all members of the foundation, said in a recent interview at the new high school.

Eighteen months ago a list of projects emerged; the foundation formed and worked to pare it down.

One example is the Sanford Performing Arts Center, which has improved acoustics, better seats and other enhancements because of community members’ generosity with financial gifts  and some in-kind contributions. As well, the space  is bigger than it would have been, absent the contributions from donors.

“The Performing Arts Center is so top notch because of the added funds,” said Jagger.

Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation is among a number of community nonprofit foundations that help their school districts, including the Education Foundation of the Kennebunks and Arundel, the Biddeford Education Foundation, and further up the coast, the Cape Elizabeth Education Foundation. All have similar missions — to support and enhance their community’s schools and help provide funding for initiatives that would otherwise go unmet.

Williams, who is also a member of the school construction committee, noted one element of the elementary school project as an example: a playground planned for fifth- and sixth-grade students  is not robust as the group had wanted because of the need to pare down some costs from the state-funded elementary school project.

“I think it’s a high priority to upgrade,” she said of the playground.

As the foundation looks ahead, its board has changed to some degree and includes a number of people representing the private as well as the public sectors. Mark Patterson of Patco is now a member, as is Hailey Cabana, the director of field operations for Aroma Joe’s, attorney Bob Ferguson, Greg Fall of Jagger Brothers, Southern Maine Health Care Chief Operating Officer Patsy Aprile, York County Community College President Barbara Finkelstein, Sanford Junior High School Principal Pam Lydon, Superintendent Matt Nelson and SPAC Director Brett Williams.

Kendra Williams, Jagger and Lampert, secretary, vice chairman and chairman, respectively, say they are looking forward to the foundation’s continued success, and are thankful to those who have already stepped up to help their community and its young people.

“It has been a lot of fun, and there’s been wonderful support from the community and we want to thank them,” said Williams. “It’s rewarding when you see needs (supported) that would otherwise be unmet.”

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 780-9016 or twells@journaltribune.com.