By Alan Sorensen
Havre Public Schools benefactor Laura (Searl) Landstad came face-to-face with Assistant Superintendent Dennis Parman for the first time Tuesday morning.
Landstad, a 3-year employee of Microsoft in Seattle, has carried on a lengthy e-mail correspondence with Parman concerning several thousands of dollars worth of software donations shes made to HPS.
Landstad made her first contribution to HHS three years ago and is in the process of making her third gift to the district.
Landstad takes advantage of a Microsoft employee perk that calls for the company to match her wholesale contribution of software to a school district. She said Parman sends her a list of what the district is looking for and she shops for it at the company store.
Parman said that Landstads contribution and Microsofts match last year amounted to a retail value of about $25,000.
Landstad, a 1987 graduate of Havre High School, was a math student of Kirk Miller, who is now superintendent of Havre schools. Miller also served as Landstads high school tennis coach.
Landstads husband, Todd, also is employed at Microsoft.
Landstad is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Frank Searl of Havre.
