Article Source: David Nigel

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

On the evening of Wednesday, April 15, the San Bruno Parks and Recreation Commission presented the distinguished COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARD for exemplary service to the San Bruno Community to a very deserving gentleman and dedicated San Bruno citizen.
 
The City of San Bruno's Parks and Recreation Community Recognition Award is a prestigious honor given to individuals who have made significant contributions to the community through their 
volunteer efforts. 

The award is presented publicly at the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting in April, and the nomination process is open to all community members. The award is a testament to the dedication
 and hard work of those who go above and beyond for the city and its citizens.

The first speaker was Alexis Petru, a Board Member of the San Bruno Education Foundation. Alexis’ presentation described Scott, his accomplishments, and his family.

Next to speak was Commissioner David Nigel who talked about Mr. Curtner’s long involvement here in San Bruno and his outstanding work and successes for our community.

This year’s honoree, Scott Curtner, could be seeing him jog around the Crestmoor 2 neighborhood, pulling a San Bruno Education
Foundation sign and tire chained around his waist. Your kids might have had him as a soccer coach for AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization).

Or you may have seen him perform a juggling act as Crestmoor Elementary’s Schools last PTO (Parent Teach Organization) President, as he creatively demonstrated the juggling act San Bruno teachers carry out every day. Scott served as one of the first presidents of the San Bruno Education Foundation for nearly a decade and continues to sit on its board, helping SBEF’s mission to provide academic enrichment programs to the more than 2,000 students in the San Bruno Park School District in any given year. SBEF greatly expanded under Scott’s leadership. When Scott became SBEF President in 2013, the organization was raising $10,000 a year; now SBEF consistently receives about $600,000 annually from local foundations, businesses and community donors.

These donations directly support enrichment programs like music and science for 8th grade students in the San Bruno Park School District.
During Scott’s tenure as president, SBEF established a comprehensive music education program for all San Bruno Park students. Before SBEF supported the program, only two elementary schools in the district were able to fund their own music classes. After receiving generous support from San Bruno Community Foundation, SBEF was able to provide music classes at all the district’s elementary schools, as well as offer Parkside Intermediate students the opportunity to take band or orchestra classes.

When schools closed down and started remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, SBEF collaborated with local businesses, community organizations and government agencies to quickly raise $340,000 to provide equipment and internet service for students who otherwise could not have accessed remote learning, as well as new computers for all San Bruno Park teachers. Also, during Scott’s time as president, the Foundation helped the district implement the Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) program to boost literacy among our youngest English learners. SBEF also offered coding clubs and science fairs for students, as well as professional development opportunities and support to teachers. Scott
says there are three reasons he volunteers for the SBEF:

• One is “I see how many of San Bruno’s kids are not as lucky as mine, so I feel a duty to help where I can.”
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• Two is “I love hearing when our education foundation helps bring about positive change through collaborating with community leaders, teachers and families. Three is the joy I feel when we successfully bridge the generosity of our donors to the most valuable and effective programs benefiting such a diverse range of San Bruno’s children.”
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• Three is “The joy Scott feels when our community successfully bridge the generosity of our donors to the most valuable and effective programs benefiting such a diverse range of San Bruno’ children; as exemplified by the type of programs, uniqueness, number of people it benefited.”

The Commission thanked Alexis Petru ... (a U. C. Berkeley Golden Bear Graduate) ... for submitting Scott’s nomination for our COMMUNITY RECOGNITION AWARD.

Commission Chairman, Mike Palmer, congratulated Mr. Curtner and presented Scott with a plaque. Palmer also described the perpetual plaque that lists all the honoree recipients which is displayed in the Recreation and Aquatics Center. Scott then addressed those in attendance, expressing his gratitude for receiving this honor.

San Bruno Parks & Recreation Commissioners:

• Mike Palmer, Chairman
• Kris Gonzales, Vice Chairperson
• Michelle Carranza
• Lorry Greenberg
• Jessica Martinucci
• David Nigel
• John Seevers
• Garrett Toy
• Anchai Gigi Prasad, Youth Representative