Sands family gives historic gift to Harley

The Sands Family Foundation has given The Harley School a $3 million donation, representing the largest gift in the school’s 100-year history, and paving the way for more competitive teachers’ salaries.

The Sands family, which owns and operates Constellation Brands, has a three-generation connection with the school, with Constellation’s chairman and CEO, Richard and Robert Sands, having both attended the school.

“We are proud to have such successful and dedicated alumni, and thank the Sands family for their historic support of The Harley School,” said Ward Ghory, Harley’s head of school.

Ghory announced the gift to faculty Monday afternoon. The gift will go into an endowment that will allow Harley to pay for increasing faculty compensation by 10 percent over routine annual increases in the next four years.

“Historically, private, independent schools have not been unionized, so they have not had the same levels of pay,” Ghory said. “Faculty are the lifeblood to the school. We want to be a destination where faculty can come because they can do their best work here. We want them to stay.”

The school, at 1981 Clover St. in Brighton, has 518 students in grades nursery through grade 12, and approximately 75 faculty members.

“These educators provide students with the necessary academic foundation to face the challenges of a rapidly evolving world,” said Robert Sands in a statement announcing the donation. “This gift will support them in continuing to inspire and prepare students to become the next generation of leaders.”

Added Courtney Sands Winslow, “… the work of educating children is deeply personal, requiring both commitment and strength of character to honor and inspire each of student in their own, meaningful way. The Harley School does this important work so well; today the Sands family would like to recognize the School’s faculty.”

Ghory said the gift is part of a multi-prong approach to invest in faculty. “We need teachers who are not only subject-matter experts but have high social-emotional intelligence and are able to connect with kids.”

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