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"Delivering a world-class education with recognized excellence in academics, arts and athletics.". San Marino Unified School District. Financial Stability Task Force Board Update March 23, 2010. The Annual Trek of School Funding in California.
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"Delivering a world-class education with recognized excellence in academics, arts and athletics." San Marino Unified School District Financial Stability Task Force Board Update March 23, 2010
And On Note: Bear Imagery Intended!
Only to Discover A Seemingly Insurmountable Barrier Budget Deficit$5,000,000
Achieving Success…because we MUST In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock. Thomas Jefferson
Fundamental Belief “One in every 8 American school children attend a CA public school.” • A world class SMUSD education costs $8900 per student per year. • A world class education includes a co-curricular commitment to strong academic, arts and athletics programs. • Efforts are ongoing to do more with less; however, generally any reduction in the per capita cost of educating an SMUSD student will result in less than a world class opportunity for each of our students. WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS: Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.
The Price of Success….$5,000,000 • Conservative estimates indicate a deficit of $5,000,000 in SMUSD’s budget for 2010-2011. • The deficit is a combination of decreased state funding and increased costs, largely tied to collective bargaining agreements. • Economists believe that the state will not recover for many years, potentially a decade. • Thus, the problem is not a one year challenge. We must fundamentally change our budgeting structure. • And, more than ever, parents must realize that a “QUALITY public education is not FREE.” BARACK OBAMA: The true test of the American ideal is whether we're able to recognize our failings and then rise together to meet the challenges of our time. Whether we allow ourselves to be shaped by events and history, or whether we act to shape them.
How Are We Getting There? • Rally Our Troops • Educate Our Community • Fundraise, Fundraise, Fundraise…. • Optimize All Existing Funds • Leverage the Power of Our Vote ANATOLE FRANCE: To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.
Rally Our Troops • All school district support groups have banded together to address the budget deficit: • San Marino Schools Foundation • PTAs/PTSAs • Board Advisory Committees • SMUSD Students • Chinese Club • SMHS Alumni Association • SMUSD Staff HOLOCAUST MUSEUM, WASHINGTON, DC: Thou shalt not be a victim. Thou shalt not be a perpetrator. Above all, thou shalt not be a bystander.
Strategy 1: Educate • Even the most aware of our constituents would have a difficult time following the changes in education funding over the last few years. • A critical component of our campaign is to provide a thorough analysis of the problem and the solution. -“A Report to the Community” -Constant Contact -San Marino Tribune -Website -Town Hall Meetings -Volunteers NELSON MANDELA: Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Strategy # 2: Fundraise • SMSF is undertaking a $2.4M additional fundraising challenge for this year. • Their “ask” is $2000 per student. • The SMSF directors have changed their ongoing “ask” from $1000 per student to $2000 per student to support the multi-year expectation for the deficit. WINSTON CHURCHILL: We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
Fundraise, c’td • Chinese Club • Mid Autumn Festival donation • Golf Fundraiser, and • Significant donor effort • Alumni Association • Major Donors • PTA’s • Concert in the Park HELP #1 API Students are the Future~ Refuse To Lose Save SMUSD THORNTON WILDER: Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow.
Strategy 3: Optimize • SMUSD and its constituent support groups have resources that will be re-purposed or re-engineered to “bridge the gap.” • Stoneman • PTA Budgets/Allocations • Employee Commitments • Existing Rental Contracts GEORGE PEABODY: Education: a debt due from present to future generations.
Strategy 4: Politicize • Letter writing; State and Federal Representatives • Face to face lobbying • Leverage other local school districts to strengthen our message. • MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN: Education is for improving the lives of others • and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.
The Numbers Note: For 2010-11, no assumptions were made for add’l stimulus funds, contract re-negotiations and/or Stoneman re-purposing.
Refuse to Lose EDWARD EVERETT HALE: I am only one,But still I am one.I cannot do everything,But still I can do something;And because I cannot do everythingI will not refuseto do the something that I can do.