MPAEF grants $4.1 million to MPCSD for the 2025-2026 school year
The Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation’s (MPAEF) Board of Directors voted to grant $4.1 million to the Menlo Park City School District (MPCSD) for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year at their final board meeting earlier this month.
Co-Presidents Jennifer Baskin and Sally Loverro attended the June 5th school board meeting to present the “big check.”
This milestone is a direct result of the unwavering generosity of MPCSD parents, MPAEF business partners, and the broader Menlo Park and Atherton communities.
During the check presentation, Superintendent Kristen Gracia shared the importance of the MPAEF grant: “The district is so grateful for MPAEF’s incredible partnership every year. This year especially we would like to recognize the fact that without MPAEF’s grant we would not be able to invest in ourteachers like we do.
“Research shows again and again that teacher quality is the most significant tool to increase student performance, and that teacher compensation is directly linked to student outcomes. We are proud to be able to offer some of the most competitive teacher salaries in the area, even with lower per-student government funding than most other local districts.
“Thanks to the MPAEF we are able to continually develop our teachers with high quality professional learning. Our teacher retention has reached an all-time high of 95%! We are able to deliver exceptional programs while attracting and retaining excellent educators here in MPCSD because our community, through the MPAEF, steps up each and every year.”
The strength and diversity of MPAEF’s funding sources are the result of dedicated volunteers, who worked tirelessly throughout the past year to inspire engagement and support.
The $4.1 million grant is made possible by contributions from all of the following campaign sources, each of which met or exceeded their
goals:
● One Community Campaign: 68% of funding
● Auction and Schoolhouse Rocks Run Events: 12% of funding
● Friends and Family in Our Community: 6% of funding
● Endowment for Excellence in Teaching roll-off: 4% of funding
● Business and Real Estate Partners: 3% of funding
● Investment and Prior Year Income: 7% of funding
