SBCSS News and Press Releases

San Manuel To Make $550,000 Contribution To Alliance For Education

2009-05-01

SAN BERNARDINO - A $550,000 two-year contribution from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to the Alliance For Education will be announced at the group's annual Stakeholder's Report on May 6.

The contribution is the biggest in the seven years of the Alliance, a San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools' partnership with business, labor, government, community and education representatives to align common goals in an effort to produce an educated and skilled community.

"We are very pleased with the generous funding from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians," County Superintendent Gary Thomas said. "We plan to use the funding to build and expand our successful Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programs at secondary sites throughout our county."

Tribal Chairman James Ramos will attend the Stakeholder's meeting to make a presentation to the Alliance for Education.

"Now, during a time of unprecedented budget cuts, it is critical for public and private partnerships to support science and math programs," Ramos said. "We are proud to be a part of the Alliance and be counted in support of our community's students."

The San Manuel contribution will benefit STEM programs at the following secondary schools: Barstow High; Pacific High; Ranchero Middle; San Gorgonio High; Serrano High; Serrano Middle; Silverado High; Sultana High; and Victor Valley High.

The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians is one of several contributing partnerships that will be highlighted at the event. Other major contributors include: Arrowhead Credit Union; Lewis Group of Companies; the James Irvine/Community Foundation; SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union; the Youth Council of the Local Workforce Investment Board; and federal funding for the STEM initiative.

The event, which will be held at Etiwanda Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga, gives an update on the program's progress on workforce development, education partnerships and literacy campaigns.

The 2 p.m. event is hosted by County Superintendent Thomas, as well as Larry Sharp, chief executive officer of Arrowhead Credit Union, and Randall Lewis of the Lewis Group of Companies.

Some 200 business, labor, government, community and education leaders are expected to attend the event. Etiwanda Gardens is located at 7576 Etiwanda Ave.

For more information concerning the Alliance for Education's Stakeholder's Report, contact Leslie Rodden, director of Higher Education and Work Force Development at County Schools, at (909) 386-2636.