The first two years of the Parkland School District Education Foundation have been so successful, the organization is planning to hire a part-time executive director to manage it on a regular basis.

At the July 16 workshop session, Nicole McGalla, director of community and public relations, reported applications are already coming in for the position.

She said the job will pay $20,000-$25,000 a year for a work week of 20-25 hours.

Established to help bring in additional funding for Parkland arts, athletics, and academics, the foundation received $130,000 in donations during its first year in 2011-12 and $212,000 in the 2012-13 fiscal year.

McGalla provided an example of how foundation money is used.

Scott Watson, of the music department, wrote a grant to commission a piece to tie in with the fourth-grade math program.

The resulting song, "The Common Denominator," was created to help children better understand fractions. The composer was funded by the foundation.

The piece will be used not only at Parkland but at schools throughout the country.

McGalla said the arts have been recipients of several sizeable gifts.

One anonymous donor contributed $10,000 to purchase band instruments for the middle schools, while another individual gave $2,500 for the high school musical.

McGalla said an alumni association will be launched to bring support and volunteers into foundation activities.

"There are untapped opportunities for alumni to connect," McGalla said. "We are thinking of mixers, bus trips and an alumni section at football games. Everyone is so busy, but we want to get volunteers to keep it alive and growingto own it and make it vibrant."

The foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt charitable organization designed to raise money for students, curriculum and facilities.