Election Section

A grass-roots project organized by Berkeley parents and supported by State Assemblymember Loni Hancock will be distributing $66,500 between Berkeley’s 17 public schools on Friday as part of a fundraising drive to help the district which has been hit hard by budget cuts. 

The project, Berkeley Schools Now! (BSN), has raised over $85,000 since last spring, initially asking parents who declared dependent children to donate last year’s increased tax refund. Since then the project has mushroomed, receiving donations from over 350 Berkeley community members. 

The project’s success is due at least in part to co-founder and executive board member Zasa Swanson who envisions BSN as part of what could be a state-wide effort to increase the involvement of the community in their schools. A versed community activist, Swanson said she saw the various needs that Berkeley schools and schools around state have that are not being met. 

“For me, Berkeley Schools Now! is a big cry for help, it’s a coming together,” she said. “It’s about if you see it, let’s do something about it.” 

The money raised by BSN is being allocated on a per-student basis by each school’s site council, a committee of parents and staff who work together to make funding for each school. 

The distribution will be attended by Loni Hancock and site councilmembers, and will take place at the Rosa Parks School Library at 3:30 p.m. Friday.