About the Continental School Foundation
Building Opportunities. Supporting Students.
The Continental School Foundation is dedicated to enriching the educational experience of Continental School students by providing resources, programs and opportunities beyond what traditional school funding can provide.
Through the generosity of families, alumni, local businesses and community supporters, the Foundation helps bring ideas to life; from classroom and teacher grants to music, art, field trips, library resources and improvements that benefit the entire school community.
Our goal is simple: to help make more possible for every Continental School student.
Our Story
A Community Tradition of Giving
Since the Foundation was established in 2000, Continental School's student population has more than doubled, reaching approximately 640 students.
As the school has grown, so has the need for additional programs, resources and opportunities. The Foundation has worked alongside Continental School to help meet those changing needs while supporting the exceptional, well-rounded education that has long defined the school community.
That commitment is reflected in the school's continued achievements. In 2025, Continental School earned an “A” Grade from the Arizona Department of Education, and in 2026 it was recognized by the Arizona Educational Foundation as an “A+ School of Excellence.”
The Foundation is proud to play a part in that continuing story, and to help ensure that today's students, and generations still to come, have opportunities to learn, create and thrive.
The timeline
Rooted in History. Investing in the Future.
The story of Continental School begins more than a century ago on the historic Continental Farm.
1916
Continental Farm is established
Founded in 1916 by the Intercontinental Rubber Company, the 10,000-acre agricultural property was originally established to grow guayule for wartime rubber production. A small company town soon developed to support the farm's workers
By 1918 it included a processing facility, post office, general store, church, homes, and a two-room schoolhouse known as Continental School.
1918
The original two-room Continental School opens
1948
R. Keith Walden purchases Continental Farm
In 1948, R. Keith Walden purchased Continental Farm and moved his cotton farming operation, Farmers Investment Company (FICO), to the property.
1973
Continental School moves to its present location
When Continental School moved to its present location in 1973, the original schoolhouse was preserved and continues to serve the community today.
2000
The Foundation is established
Reductions in Arizona public-school funding placed many visual and performing arts programs at risk. Concerned parents, teachers and community members came together around a shared belief: students deserved a well-rounded education with opportunities extending beyond what traditional school funding could provide.
Why a Foundation?
Going Beyond the Basics
From the beginning, the Foundation's leaders understood that supporting students meant thinking beyond the immediate needs of the school.
They established two permanent endowment funds: a General Endowment Fund benefiting the entire school and a designated Library Fund supporting the school library. The Foundation continues to contribute to its endowment, helping build a lasting source of support for future generations. Annual earnings from the Library Fund provide funding for special library projects.
Meet Our Board
The Continental School Foundation is led by a volunteer Board of Directors committed to supporting Continental School and strengthening the connection between our school and community.
Bonnie Klahr
President
Years involved: 29
Why I Serve
My children attended Continental, and I am grateful for the excellent education that they received. Volunteering allows me to “pay it forward” to support the school in any way that I can. It is rewarding to be able to have a positive impact on the students' education by providing them with enrichment activities.
Officers
Julie Ciruli
Vice-President
Years involved: 22
Why I Serve
I attended the first CSDEF SweetArt Gala 22 years ago when my daughter was in Kindergarten. Seeing so many community members support public education and one small school left a lasting impression on me. I’ve been involved with the foundation ever since, inspired by our mission to enrich the lives of Continental students and the impact our community can make together.
Anna Alvarado
Treasurer
Years involved: 16
Why I Serve
As a volunteer with the foundation, it brings me great joy to see children thriving on the same nurturing campus my own children attended almost twenty years ago. I hope the work we do reflects our deep commitment to supporting the teachers and uplifting the community that has given so much to us.
Laurie Romanelli
Secretary
Years involved: 20+
Why I Serve
Providing students with additional creative and educational experiences has been my main reason for joining the CSDEF's board and remaining on it all these years. Every child should have a deep and varied educational experience, but AZ's funding laws do not always allow money in the budget for the arts. The Foundation is committed to supporting the development of the whole child in all areas. That is why I continue to work with this amazing group of people.
Steve Oesterle
Dick Roberts
Bill McNarie
Mel Gonzalez
Ruth Amarillas
Paul Ague
Jenny Lichtsinn
Richard Roberts
Members at Large
ex-officio/school representatives
Roxana Rico
Superintendent — Ex-Officio
Deanna Cuevas
Principal
Meagan Higuera
Leigh Maness
Teacher Liaisons
Kai La Bistre
AnaSophia Allen
Student Representatives
Be Part of Our Story
Together, we can continue creating opportunities for Continental School students for generations to come.
Whether you make a donation, attend the Sweet Art Gala, volunteer your time or support the Foundation as a community partner, you become part of a tradition of giving that directly benefits our students.