Delano school district receives $100K donation
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The Delano Joint Union High School District has received a $100,000 donation from the Gehlawat family of Bakersfield.
"We are extremely grateful the Gehlawat family selected our District for this generous donation," Superintendent Dr. Terri Nuckols said in a news release. "We anticipate this donation could potentially reach hundreds of students."
Dr. Dilbagh Gehlawat is a pediatrician who has worked in Delano for 35 years. His son, Neil Gehlawat, is a Bakersfield attorney from Chain | Cohn | Stiles.
"We believe that education is the great equalizer in our society," the Gehlawat family said in a statement. "No child, regardless of their socioeconomic background, should be denied access to educational opportunities that will have a positive impact on their future."
The donation will help the district expand its tutoring and mentoring capabilities outside the confines of the school day, including after-school and weekend tutoring programs for students with attendance issues.
It also allows for the district to hire music consultants to mentor elementary school children in nearby rural school districts, such as Earlimart and Pond.
The district is also able to provide a summer "bridge" program for incoming freshmen and set up a 10-year plan to potentially earn college credit while still enrolled in high school.
