School principals typically spend countless hours in finance committee meetings trying to find ways to save money. One such committee at Escondido Adventist Academy (EAA), however, produced results that were not business-as-usual.

“What if,” someone queried, pondering the low interest rates, “we took some of the school’s money out of the bank and put it to work in a way that might bring great dividends for the school?”

The very next day Kris Fuentes, EAA principal, ordered the removal of the ancient wooden sign at the front of the school. He also began looking for a contractor to repaint the school’s exterior walls and trim. The action to revitalize the campus soon energized the school community.

The dividends? Beyond the initial $20,000 invested by the school, an additional $160,000 was donated for campus improvements. Even more surprising, some community members joined church members in expanding the renovation project.

Parents and local businesses rallied to assist in resurfacing the parking lot and hard-court play areas, rebuild the softball infield, and re-landscape the entire front of the campus. A paving company and a landscaping company donated more than $10,000 in materials and services.

Faculty and students pitched in by painting classrooms, removing and replacing sidewalks, and repainting the lines in the hard-court play area. A local career college donated nearly $4,000 in whiteboards for classroom use. EAA students also assisted in remodeling the shop and garage area to accommodate the school’s ever-growing art and woodshop programs.

Board members and parents solicited funds for a state-of-the-art wood floor for the gymnasium. More than $76,000 was raised for a gym renovation. Two annual events sponsored by the Home and School Association—a jog-a-thon and a mother’s tea—generated an additional $30,000, which helped replace the aging gym roof.

Finally, approximately $40,000 was donated toward enhancing EAA’s technology education program. This allowed the school to purchase a mobile computing cart with 30 laptop computers and a completely digital recording studio.

“This school has a 101-year tradition of providing academic excellence in a Christ-centered environment. Although we have spent much time, energy and money on revitalizing our campus,” reflects Fuentes, “we recognize that it is not buildings, but a Christian community of students, parents and staff that has created the EAA family we have today.”