2009-2010 MEF President's Message
Thank you to our parents and our community. Last year, during our 2008-2009 campaign, we raised over $1.2 million for our schools. This is a wonderful affirmation of our community’s dedication to providing financial support for the quality public education that we all care so much about.
Without private donations our schools would look like every other school in the state.
While we can feel good that we raised substantial funds this past year, our hard work continues. California is 47th in terms of funding – and that means Moraga, too. Without private donations our children would have limited access to art and music instruction, technology, library services, reading tutors, counselors and elective programs. And given the further reductions in state funding that are projected for 2010-2011, our students – at every grade level--are facing larger class sizes, fewer elective offerings (K-12), and far fewer programs and support resources than ever before.
It’s mind boggling when one stops for a moment and reflects upon what our schools would look like and what our children’s educational experience would be without our collective financial support. Yes, we have motivated kids and yes, we have excellent teachers and administrators, but without these extra dollars and the programs and staff that they afford, the programs and services that our K-8 and High School Districts are currently known for and offer would be no different from any other district in the state.
Currently, we are well into our 2009-2010 campaign, where we raise money for the 2010-2011 school year. Given the even larger cuts that the state is projecting, the need for private dollars has gotten even greater; as such, we are hoping to exceed our $1.3MM goal and raise an additional three to four hundred thousand dollars.
It’s clear; this level of private giving is required to bridge the growing gap between what the state funds and what our schools need. If everyone in our community gives and gives as much as they can, we can achieve our goal of maintaining reasonable class sizes, elective offerings and programs and support services befitting a community like ours.
Our schools have weathered many a financial storm because we continue to come together as a community and collectively invest in something we all value: our schools. It is now up to each and every one of us to engage and ensure that our tradition of educational excellence continues. I know that together, we can achieve this.
Sincerely,
Shari Simon
President, Moraga Education Foundation
MEF launches its final May effort.
Rick Shafer, MSD Superintendent, details $1.2 million in cuts to our schools.
The Moraga Chamber of Commerce supports MEF (Lamorinda Weekly article, 2/17/10)
Read a recent article written by Stacy Giglio, MEF Board Member and Rheem PTA President, about potential cuts to the Moraga School District.
November 2011 Constant Contact link
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