Teacher-led technology grants
Carlsbad Unified staff and schools apply for equipment, software, training, and services. Proposals are reviewed and signed by each principal before the Foundation makes a funding decision.
Carlsbad Educational Foundation · Campaign since 1997
Kids Are Worth A Million: technology for every Carlsbad classroom
A community campaign to raise $1,000,000 for state-of-the-art technology across all ten Carlsbad Unified schools — through teacher grants, business partnerships, and local events.
- 1997
- Campaign launched
- $1,000,000
- Fundraising goal
- 10
- Carlsbad Unified schools
What the money does
Three ways the campaign reaches students
Every dollar is directed at the classroom: equipment teachers ask for, the networks that keep it running, and the events that keep the community involved.
Computers and school networks
Beyond individual classrooms, the campaign has funded local area networks and new computers — including the newsroom system behind Carlsbad High’s Lancer Express newspaper.
Events that fund the mission
The Telethon, Taste of Carlsbad, Carlsbad 5000, and San Diego Marathon turn local enthusiasm into classroom technology — with volunteer and sponsorship roles for everyone.
Why it mattered
A district need the whole city could answer
In the late 1990s, Carlsbad’s superintendent and principals identified access to computer technology as the district’s most urgent classroom need. California’s education spending ranked well below the national average, and schools were competing for the same scarce dollars.
Rather than run a patchwork of small fundraisers, the Carlsbad Educational Foundation launched Kids Are Worth A Million in January 1997: one visible, city-wide campaign with a single, public goal of $1,000,000 for school technology.
“Creating and maintaining technologically advanced computer facilities is essential to quality education.”
By 2001 the campaign reported that it was three-fourths of the way to its goal, with corporations, local merchants, service groups, civic organizations, and PTAs all contributing funds and equipment.
Campaign history
From a January launch to a district-wide program
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January 1997
The campaign launches
The Foundation commits to a $1,000,000 goal and begins recruiting business, civic, and individual partners.
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1997–2000
Partnerships and events take shape
Corporate sponsors, service clubs, PTAs, and local merchants pledge funds and equipment. The Telethon and Taste of Carlsbad join the campaign calendar.
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2000–2001
Grants and infrastructure reach schools
The Foundation funds teacher-led technology projects and school networks, including the Lancer Express newsroom at Carlsbad High.
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Spring 2001
A third grant cycle opens
Guidelines and a printable application are published for Carlsbad Unified staff, with proposals due by March 23 and decisions by April 23, 2001.
Programs & events
Where the community meets the classroom
A live broadcast from the Safety Center
Students from each Carlsbad Unified school performed during a live telethon planned to bring the campaign into local living rooms.
Thirty restaurants, one afternoon
Local restaurants served samples at the Carlsbad Company Stores, with entertainment and beer and wine sampling for a family audience.
The Lancer Express newsroom
A Foundation grant paid for a local area network and new computers for the student newspaper at Carlsbad High School.
Spring 2001 grant cycle
Technology grants, open to every Carlsbad school
Applications were accepted from individuals, teams, or whole schools anywhere in the Carlsbad Unified School District.
Who could apply
Any CUSD school, department, team, or staff member — with the principal’s review and signature on the application.
What reviewers looked for
Projects that support the curriculum, expand access to technology, reach a wide range of students, and show insight or creativity.
How to submit
Nine typed copies, postmarked by Friday, March 23, 2001, to the Foundation at PO Box 205, Carlsbad, CA 92018.
When decisions arrived
Principals were notified in writing no later than April 23, 2001. Final funding decisions rest with the Foundation.
Trust & accountability
Backed by the people who know Carlsbad schools
The campaign was supported by former California Governor Pete Wilson, California legislators, the Carlsbad City Council, and the Carlsbad School Board of Trustees. Businesses, service clubs, civic organizations, and PTAs contributed money and equipment.
In accepting a grant, the grantee, the school, and the district agree to provide access and documentation to the Foundation for evaluation and promotional purposes — so donors can see what their money built.
- Nine copies of every application reviewed by the Foundation
- Principal sign-off required before submission
- Written notification for every approved grant
- Evaluation and documentation built into each award
Common questions
Questions people ask about the campaign
Is this the current campaign site?
This is a restored archive of the site as it stood on 2 March 2001. It preserves the original campaign record, grant guidelines, and event calendar. See the archive explanation.
Where did the money go?
Into classroom technology: teacher-requested equipment, software and training, plus school-wide networks and computers. The impact page explains the model.
Can teachers still use these grant guidelines?
The Spring 2001 guidelines and printable form show exactly how the program worked. The application page reproduces them in full.
Every classroom in Carlsbad is still worth a million.
Read the campaign record, share the grant guidelines with a teacher, or support the Carlsbad Educational Foundation.