PV Schools Foundation nears fundraising goal of $750,000 PV Schools Foundation nears fundraising goal of $750,000 (June 08, 2005)

**Funds will help pay for small classes, art, science, music, P.E. and more.

By Marjorie Mader

Almanac Staff Writer

If all pledges roll in, the Portola Valley Schools Foundation will reach its campaign goal of raising $750,000 this year for scholars and programs in Portola Valley's public schools.

Co-presidents Joy Elliott and Jon Goulden said a recent $20,000 matching challenge grant and reminder letters have spurred a "tremendous response" from the community.

Contributions are still "chunking along," said Ms. Elliott.

Funds from the foundation represent almost 12 percent of the district's $8.8 million budget this year. The district's 663 students attend Ormondale (K-3) and Corte Madera (4-8).

Last year, the foundation set a campaign record with $725,000 raised. The foundation's successful gala in May 2004 raised $550,000, of which $120,000 is now being used in the schools to fund extra programs that would not have been possible without the event, said the co-presidents.

These funds support "Art in Action," which brings an art specialist and materials for specific lessons to guide Ormondale classroom teachers as they work on art projects with their kindergartners through third-graders.

Gala funds also launched a video production class at Corte Madera and paid for necessary equipment to broadcast news to classrooms. Besides learning how to use complex video equipment, students are acquiring skills in problem solving and working cooperatively as a team, said teacher Dave Macomber.

Small classes traditionally have been a high priority for district parents, and the foundation has provided financial support for lowering class size since its early years.

Classes this year at Corte Madera for fourth through eighth grade have 18 to 20 students, as compared with the California average of 26.5, said Mr. Goulden.

Kindergartners through third-graders at Ormondale are in classes of 20 or fewer students, primarily due to the state's funding for class-size reduction.

More foundation dollars help pay for specialists in physical education, music and reading, as well as classroom aides to support teachers at both schools and two full-time tech support positions. Funds also support differentiated math instruction for all grades and science instruction in grades 1-5.

The foundation also funds professional development for teacher training and curriculum.

Ms. Elliott and Mr. Goulden have signed up for another year as the nonprofit foundation's leaders. They're already looking ahead toward some changes.

"I see the foundation as an organization is reaching a size where it needs to rework processes and systems to continue to support students and the schools," said Mr. Goulden.

He sees the need to do a better job of communicating and with parents and the community and involving volunteers in areas of their interest and skills.

"Volunteering needs to be fun and interesting for people, but not a full-time job that they aren't paid for," said Mr. Goulden.

Some of the changes include reactivating the advisory board that includes Al Schreck, Bill Lane, Ginny Kavanaugh, Donna Dubinsky, Len Shustek, Kurt Jaggers, and past foundation presidents Susan Evans and Mary Kiely.

The foundation will stage its gala, a biennial, fundraising event, next spring, and parents Janet Lorenzen and Deirdre McQuillan have volunteered as co-chairs.

Jill Howard and Eli Khouri, past foundation co-presidents, are working to recruit financial talent from the community to develop an action plan to build the endowment fund. The foundation's innovative 21st Century Fund that raised $3 million several years ago will sunset in the 2006-07 school year. These funds were earmarked for teacher training, technology and maintenance.

Tax-deductible contributions to the foundation may still be made online at www.pvschoolsfoundation.org or by mailing a check to the Portola Valley Schools Foundation, 4575 Alpine Road, Portola Valley 94028.
E-mail Marjorie Mader at mmader@AlmanacNews.com

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