SPANISH FORT, Ala. — The Spanish Fort Educational Enrichment Foundation has launched an ambitious fundraising campaign for technology upgrades to help keep the feeder pattern’s four schools competitive.

“We just started it,” said SFEEF Executive Director Sandra Bostrom, “and we’re in the process of setting up a meeting with the principals to work out the details.”

Bostrom said the campaign is intended to increase and upgrade the technological equipment in the schools, including the ultimate goal of giving all four campuses wireless capability.

In an open solicitation letter to parents and educators dated June 2, the correlation was made between SFEEF’s mission to help students “compete in today’s competitive job market and college admission process,” acknowledging that “technology in education” is the primary vehicle for achieving the goal.

Wireless capabilities would allow Spanish Fort students, the letter said, to “make the most use of their current technical programs and equipment.”

An estimated $20,000 to $25,000 per school will be needed to complete the project, but no clear timetable has been set to date.

“With the existing technology at all Spanish Fort schools, our students are severely limited in their technology endeavors by the number of computers, equipment, concepts and accessibility. With a completely wireless system, we can dramatically increase these crucial areas of need,” Bostrom said.

By comparison, all Title I schools in Baldwin County will ultimately receive federal dollars for technology upgrades and wireless capability, “while our average and advanced students are left to survive on their own to obtain technical advancement that is so vital to today’s education,” the letter said.

Although grant funding will play a crucial role, those dollars require matching funds, making the fundraising campaign a necessity.

As a result, pledge cards have been disseminated, offering varying levels of “financial commitment” to help the organization reach its goal.

“Success for this project will require 100 percent participation from our parents, sponsors and community at large. Please make a commitment to be a partner with SFEEF to provide this technical education our children must have to secure their future,” the letter stated.