Representing KLA at the groundbreaking event, Jaynne Gates, corporate communications, read a message from Jen McCollum, executive director, KLA Foundation, who was unable to attend:

“Furthering access to science, technology, engineering and math education is at the forefront of what we do in the community, and with our headquarters right here in Milpitas, there is no better alignment with our philanthropic priorities than investing in state-of-the-art capabilities for local students. We can’t think of a better partner to carry out this work with than the Milpitas Unified School District and are so thrilled to see this vision become a reality.”

The first phase of the six-building, 96,000-square-foot Innovation Campus will open in fall 2023.

KLA’s donation will fund completion of the Early Childhood Development Center and Workforce Pathways Center, an instructional theater. This funding will give KLA three years of naming rights to the science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) lab.

“KLA’s support has been a cornerstone in the development of the Innovation Campus and will have a great impact in developing equitable opportunities for the future workforce,” said Cheryl Jordan, superintendent, MUSD. “This kind of public school-business partnership creates opportunities for teens and young adults to make their way toward becoming creators and designers of future technologies.”

Work is already underway at the district to raise an estimated $20 million-$25 million needed to complete the final phase of Innovation Campus, which includes building a second high school and an adult education center.