NEWMAN – Bailey’s “Wall of Hope” is becoming a reality at Von Renner Elementary School.

School board members last week agreed to pick up the balance of funding needed for the Von Renner PTO to purchase and install a playground climbing structure which will be dedicated to the memory of Bailey Rocha, the inspiring 8-year-old who lost her battle with leukemia last November.

Given the $23,600 cost, organizers conceded that it could take a few years to reach the fund-raising goal on their own.

The PTO had raised about $8,000, including a donation of nearly $5,000 from the after-school program, co-chair Renee Stearns told the school board, and was willing to chip away with fund-raisers until the remaining $15,600 was raised.

“If it takes us a couple of years, that is what we will have to do,” she commented. “If the district can make that goal happen a little quicker, we are happy to have your support. It means so much more to us than just a piece of playground equipment. It will be dedicated in Bailey’s memory.”

Superintendent Rick Fauss suggested that the community be involved in lending some support to the project, but also asked the board to consider helping out with district funds as much as possible.

Ultimately, trustees decided to allocate the remaining funds needed to move the project forward.

“I don’t want to wait a year to see it pay its own way,” said board President Derek Solano. “We have the money, and because of the unique situation I think it should just be paid for.”

The board voted 5-0 to pay the balance needed.

Fauss said a portion of the $510,000 reimbursement the district received on a recent Von Renner restroom project will be used for the playground improvement.

The district had already planned to improve the playground track at Von Renner.

Between the construction projects and reduced playground area at Von Renner, Fauss added, “we felt that we needed to do something for that school. This is a small price to pay for a memorial to Bailey, a nice play structure and a nicer track.”