Why do Public Schools in California Need Private Funding?
Thirty years ago California passed proposition 13—this dramatically changed the way California public schools were financed. At that time, per pupil spending in California ranked among the top 5 states in the nation. Today, when adjusted for the cost of living, California ranks 47th in the nation in per pupil spending. This lack of funds directly impacts the success of, and opportunities for, our children. In the Pew Trust foundation's Quality Counts: California – State Highlights 2007 report, the State of California ranked 37th in the Elementary and Secondary Performance Index and 34th in the Chance for Success Index.
Are We the Only District With An Education Foundation?
Many communities in California have responded to the need for increased funding by creating local education foundations. There are over 29 such foundations within San Mateo County alone. In 2007, over 600 local educational foundations in California raised more than $220 million dollars to benefit local schools. To find out more, see the “Schools Lean on Parents to Close Their Budget Gaps – Donations/Budget Cuts Factor into Push” article from the August 27th 2006 edition of the San Jose Mercury News and the California Consortium of Education Foundations website: www.cceflink.org
How Will My Donation Be Spent?
Last year School-Force provided funds to help support the Elementary Music Program, Science Specialists, Professional Development for teachers in math and reading, staff for all the campus libraries and the Dean and Counselor at Ralston. Many of the programs that School-Force funds would be greatly reduced, or completely gone, if not for School-Force dollars.
How this year’s donations will be spent is a district School Board decision. No promises can be made because the situation is still so fluid. The state could still cut more money, property tax income could decrease still more, and union negotiations are still pending.
However, the School Board and the Superintendent take input from the community very seriously. The board's budget advisory committee looked to the rankings from last month's community meetings for priorities to help create cost-cutting scenarios for school board consideration. (http://www.brssd.org/home/brssd/BoardMeetings/2009-2010/Handouts/3-4-10handouts.pdf) These same rankings will also be considered when reinstatements are made. You can view the results of the meetings at http://brssd.org/businessoperations.html.
I Cannot Afford to Pay My “Fair Share”
School-Force suggests a per child donation amount. Some people give more, some people give less. If you cannot donate at the suggested level, please give whatever you can. The goal is that every family within the Belmont Redwood Shores school district be part of School-Force and understand the educational needs of the children in our district that the foundation endeavors to address.
I Already Gave Money to the PTA...
...do I still need to give money to School-Force? We ask all parents to become supporting members of both School-Force and their school's PTA. Both organizations work hard to provide a quality educational experience for our children. Your PTA raises money for school-specific expenses such as buying teaching supplies, playground equipment, computers, etc. PTAs are not allowed to pay for salaries of educators and other staff. School-Force raises money to fund district-wide teacher salaries for programs like music, science, reading specialists, and libraries and this year could also help decrease how many classroom teachers lose their jobs.
