Friends of Oak Park Schools ready to begin its district fundraising effort

Friends of Oak Park Schools ready to begin its district fundraising effort By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

Oak Park parents worried about school funding are emulating other California school districts that have formed education foundations.

The Friends of Oak Park Schools got its first taste of success when it helped promote Measure D4. Passed by voters last year, the $198 per year parcel tax will help maintain small classroom sizes and other programs threatened by the state’s massive budget shortfall.

Oak Park resident Fred Gortner said that he became active with Friends of Oak Park Schools when he spoke with district superintendent Tony Knight about the ongoing budget problems in California.

"I know public schools can be great," Gortner said. He explained that he and his wife, Cindy, both attended public schools, and they’d like their children to experience the same high quality education.

"We have four good reasons ourselves to make it happen," Gortner said.

The foundation will conduct fundraising events to support the school district.

Gortner said there will be a "no-strings attached" policy, but expects funds will be used to maintain small classroom sizes, attract high-quality teachers and provide funds for repairs to facilities.

He added that the foundation hopes to engage local businesses throughout Southern California to aid schools. For instance, Amgen, where Gortner works, will participate in the science fair at Medea Creek Middle School. Scientists will be talking to students about their projects.

"So whether it’s money or time that the company can help the district with, that is something we’re interested in (pursuing)," Gortner said.

"These are uncertain times financially for small school districts like ours," said Mary Rees, president of the Oak Park school board.

"The state’s current budget woes are constraining public education funding, which has already been quite limited," she said. "Our trend of declining enrollment further jeopardizes the level of state funding we receive, which is largely based on attendance."

Knight said volunteers have been visiting local, established foundations so they can avoid pitfalls and capitalize on winning strategies.

"The money raised can’t be touched by the state," Knight said.

Michael Reilly, chairman of Friends of Oak Park Schools, said, "We’re really looking for any new ways to engage business, and include PTAs (Parent Teacher Associations) and PFAs (Parent Faculty Associations)."

He added that when the group researched how foundations operate, some had established endowment programs. "They took several years to get to an endowment phase," Reilly said. "That’s a long-term objective."

Gortner clarified that the foundations efforts will not duplicate the efforts of local PTAs and PFAs.

"PTAs provide financial support to different, but equally vital programs that the district cannot fully fund, such as arts and music programs, computers, library resources, etc.," he said.

"For all of these reasons, the OPUSD is deeply committed to the success of its education foundation, Friends of Oak Park Schools, and the golf-dinner fundraiser on March 21st," Rees said. (See sidebar on golf classic, page 27.)

"Private funding raised through this foundation will be vital to maintaining the outstanding quality of our schools in the long-run."

"I’m really excited about the event, I’m sure it’s going to do well," Knight said. "And I thank the parents who are forging a new path for us."