SANFORD — Three months into a campaign to raise $2 million to help buy equipment and outfit  Sanford’s new high school and regional technical center with the sorts of things construction funds don’t cover, the Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation is a quarter of the way there.

“We’re off to a really good start and have created new alliances,” Allen Lampert, chairman of the foundation, told supporters at a reception last week.

For students, the new school, with its four educational pathways, brings new possibilities — not only in career and technical education and academics, but how Sanford is viewed by its neighbors and those from farther afield.

“It’s a fresh new start for us,” said student Megan O’Connell in a video prepared for the Sanford Schools Legacy  Foundation event. “I think it will change how people view Sanford.” 

The money pledged will be used to buy items that neither the state’s $92 million contribution or the city’s $11 million contribution are designed to pay for — like some labs, some of the athletic facilities, and equipment for the performing arts center.

As an example, Lampert told those gathered at The Town Club for the Sanford Schools Legacy Foundation kick-off on Thursday that Sanford hasn’t hosted a track event for several years because of the condition of its current track — and the athletic department doesn’t have track and field equipment.

That is why “we need the support of individuals and businesses, not just in Sanford but throughout York County,” said Lampert. 

The new high school and technical center is scheduled to open for students in September. Then, renovations will begin to convert the current high school to a middle school, and the current junior high school to an elementary school, along with constructing an addition to Margaret Chase Smith elementary school.

When all of the projects are complete, the state will have invested about $140 million in Sanford schools. The city has contributed about $11 million to the high school project.

Faculty, as well as students, are looking forward to the new school opening.

“It will be a treat to play in a performing arts center for the first time ever,” said Sanford High School Band Director Joshua Champagne. “I’m hoping the performing arts center will help bring more cultural and music events to the city of Sanford. It is an opportunity for an entire cultural shift.”

Choral Music Director Jane Kirton said she’s excited about her new space at the school — with lots of windows and a view of the Mousam River, unlike her current space, which has no windows to inspire.

“We’re about to embark on a fabulous journey,” she said.

Darcy Jagger was among those gathered for the reception.

“I am so pleased,” she said. “The school is necessary and a wonderful addition. The city needs something like this. I hope folks with something in the bank will ante up.”

After the event, Lampert aid a couple of people approached him and asked how they can join the campaign.

“What I really like about our campaign is that it is a good mixture of corporate, small business, and citizen donors,” said Lampert. “This has become a total community and team effort.”

For more information, contact: www.sanfordschoolslegacyfoundation.org.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.