School fundraiser does better than expected

SchoolPower exceeded its fundraising goal, and Laguna Beach Unified School District classrooms will be the beneficiaries.

The organization, which raises money for each of the district’s four schools, said donors at its 30th annual Stroke of Genius gala matched the district’s proposed contribution of $212,000 during the Fund-A-Need campaign Saturday at the Montage Laguna Beach, according to a news release.

The money will be used to outfit 12 classrooms — six at Thurston Middle School and six at Laguna Beach High School — with television monitors, audio equipment and furniture, including mobile desks on wheels.

SchoolPower recognized supporters Holly and David Wilson and Thurston parent Brent Martini for their donations.

“What I learned is that the district has great intentions, but they can only go so fast,” Martini said in the release. “So I asked, ‘How do we accelerate that?’”

SchoolPower said silent and live auctions generated an additional $157,000.

—Bryce Alderton

Twitter: @AldertonBryce