Update / Follow-up on the news

Less than six months after the Corona del Mar High School Foundation was founded by a group of parents, it has reached its one-year goal of raising $1 million to paint, landscape and buy new equipment for the school.

Over the summer, the group spent $800,000 outfitting classrooms with new computers, installing a new telephone system and resurfacing the parking lot.

Dick Gochnauer, chairman of the foundation, said the school had deteriorated in many ways because of budget cuts--classrooms were not painted, desks were not replaced and programs such as the marching band were eliminated.

Next, the foundation plans to paint and refurbish the interiors of the buildings. Board members said they also hope to repair the gym floors and eventually to build a 500-seat theater and a technology center on the campus.