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November 7, 2003/Cheshvan 12 5764, Vol. 56, No. 7
Breaking ground
The King David School approaches goal, begins construction
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
The King David School will break ground Nov. 19 on its own facility to be located at the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus in Scottsdale.
The school, which at nearly 200 students is the largest Jewish day school in the Valley, serves students in kindergarten through eighth grade. It currently leases space at Temple Beth Israel.
According to Art Paikowsky, project manager, $4,840,000 has been raised toward a goal of $5.1 million.
"We feel like between now and the time we finish construction - we have a nine-month construction schedule - we'll be able to raise the rest of the money," said Paikowsky.
The campaign particularly impressed Paikowsky, former executive vice president of Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix, because the capital funds were raised in less than one year and include 100 percent participation from parents, faculty and staff.
A large percentage was raised through the efforts of two local philanthropists who offered matching programs to donors, Paikowsky said.
The first matching program, offered by an anonymous donor last spring, was a dollar-for-dollar match up to $250,000 that also required 100 percent participation from all of the school families. The second matching program, a $500,000 dollar-for-dollar match, was offered by Steve Hilton this fall.
The school secured enough donations to take full advantage of both programs.
Paikowsky said he is excited that the school was able to meet its fund-raising goals so soon after the completion of the Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus project.
"It shows that the community is not ready to be satisfied with what we've already done, but wants to see this become the first-rate Jewish community that it should be," Paikowsky said. "I think this is clearly a step in that direction."
Beverly Rubenstein, president of the school, calls the new facility "state of the art." Construction is expected to be completed in July 2004, so school can begin at the new facility at the beginning of the 2004-2005 school year.
The 35,000-square-foot facility will be built in a village concept, featuring a central courtyard with play areas for younger children and outdoor lunch areas for older students, according to Rubenstein.
At the front of the school will be a biblical garden featuring desert plants. The facility will include four classroom buildings, an 8,000-square-foot multi-purpose room, a fully equipped science lab and an art room, as well as a sanctuary, which Ruben-stein called "the focal point of the campus."
The school's initial capacity is for 300 students, with room for expansion.
The school's proximity to the Valley of the Sun Jewish Community Center will allow the two organizations to collaborate on programs, and give King David students and their families easy access to the VOSJCC facility, said Rubenstein. The partnership will include the school's use of the pool and other amenities at the JCC.
"Having The King David School being built on the Ina Levine Campus, and its proximity to the JCC, is going to (make) for many opportunities to combine efforts to enhance programs both at the school and the JCC," said Esther Feuerberg, head of school.
Feuerberg said she is pleased with the support the school has received from the community.
"These are very, very exciting times for The King David School and, I believe, for the entire community. The community, in its support, is making a statement about Jewish education and it's just heartwarming to know ... the project is on its way and The King David School will finally have a home of its own."
Contact the writer at beth_olson@jewishaz.com.
Details
- What: Groundbreaking ceremony for The King David School
- When: 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19
- Where: Ina Levine Jewish Community Campus, 12701 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
- Call: 480-991-4333
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