Achieve Foundation Presents $150K to BOE

The Achieve Foundation presented the South Orange - Maplewood Board of Education with a check Monday night for $150,000 to support the restoration of the Columbia High School auditorium.

Achieve's President Ted Cole presented the funds to BOE President Beth Daugherty at the Board's regular monthly meeting.

The donation is part of the Take a Seat (TAS) Campaign, a joint effort of Achieve and the South Orange - Maplewood School District (SOMSD) to restore the historic auditorium to its former splendor. The $1.3 million project will upgrade features of the 85-year old performance hall including its seats, sound system, lighting and flooring.

The campaign hopes to raise a total of $350,000 to fill the gap between the $1 million the school district has allotted for the project and the total amount required for the renovation.