Large Grant Funds 5 Computer Labs in MERS District

The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation donated $146,000 to the Foundation for MERS which was used to help fund five new computer-based assessment labs in the elementary schools of the district.  The money was also used to buy other technological equipment for the , , and . An official ribbon cutting to open the new computer labs was held at on Friday, Oct. 28.

The grant helped the district purchase 130 Apple iMac computers,  which will be utilized for computer-based assessment - an approach “which will allow for instructional adjustment and support to students throughout the school year,” a press release issued by the Foundation for MERS President, Pat Berger, said.

SMART Boards, a SMART table, document cameras, music chairs, music stands, and wireless microphones were also able to be purchased with the help of the grant.

Barry Tobias, the chief administrative and financial officer of the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation was the driving force in this campaign. Tobias' two daughters attended district schools and the computer labs in Lafayette Mills School and are named in honor of them.

Berger commented that receiving the grant was a collaborative effort among the administrators within the school district, the MERS Board of Education, Tobias and his wife, Star, and the Foundation for MERS, which is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation which aims to strengthen the education of the students in the district. 

“Barry, I thank you for your continued trust in us and in the district, and for your never ending commitment to improving the overall education for the students in each of our schools,” Berger said.
 
Superintendent John J. Marciante and members of the Board of Education were also present at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Marciante said a few words about how the district grappled with the computer-assessments that would eventually be mandated in the district and how they were going to deal with that. Tobias’ grant quelled Marciante’s anxiety, he said.

“So, at the exact same time that I am looking for someone to give me a lot of money, Barry is looking to give money to somebody - it was perfect!” Marciante joked.

The superintendent went on to say how these labs are not only important for online state assessments that will be coming down the pike in two years, but will be a tremendous resource in other ways.

After Tobias officially cut the ribbon, he said a few words about his donation and how passionate he is about the Manalapan schools. Last year, Tobias reached out to Berger to donate money so that students would be able take a musical instrument, which was going to be cut due to the strict budget. With Tobias’ donation the music program stayed in tact.

This year, Tobias reached out to Berger again to do something big before the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation officially goes out of business, which will eventually close in several years, according to Tobias. Berger told him about the computer needs in the district and Tobias said he was very happy to help.

“For Star and I, it’s about Manalapan and Englishtown,” Tobias said. “Our kids grew up here; the success they enjoy now in school is largely in part because of the community we live in and these schools - so, we are grateful to all of you.”