Friends of Oak Park plan 2005-06 campaign

Barry Myerson, vice chairperson of the Friends of Oak Park Schools, spoke recently with The Acorn regarding his organization’s goals and objectives.

Now in its second year, the parent-run fundraising committee has begun planning its 200506 campaign to raise money for Oak Park Unified School District. The fledgling committee raised more than $40,000 last year during its second annual golf tournament.

Does Friends of Oak Park Schools have a mission statement?

“Friends of Oak Park Schools is a group of dedicated, community-minded individuals that decided to put something back into their community by helping our school district fund new and innovative programs in the district.”

What will be your main fundraising event this year?

“We recently met for a strategic planning session and have an events committee that will be meeting to decide what event the foundation will sponsor this calendar school year. One thing they are discussing, of course, is following up on our successful golf tournament with the possibility of adding tennis to it.”

Does the fact that there are other organizations asking residents to donate for education make it tougher for your organization to raise money for schools?

“Our challenge is to raise these necessary funds without diluting the funds that parents donate to their respective school’s PFA/PFC/PTAs. . .As unpopular as this sounds, we are not asking them to give any less to the PFA or other school-based organizations as they do now, but to simply look into their other pocket. If we received $100 for each student in our district, we would have enough funds to hire a fulltime art teacher for the elementary schools, enhance the drama (program) or add a strings program to the middle school and add additional counselors to the high school.”

California ranks 44th in the nation in per-pupil spending. Do you think that statistic makes organizations like Friends of Oak Park Schools even more important?

“This statistic needs to ring in everyone’s ears so they understand the battle that our district’s administration has to wage on a daily basis. We came very close this summer to losing much of our elementary school music program in Oak Park. The district held a community forum in April, where our community was able to address issues related to the district. The consensus at this forum was that everyone was happy with the arts programs that OPUSD offered, but they would like to see it expanded.” Why did you decide to join Friends of Oak Park Schools?

“I joined the Friends of Oak Park Schools because it allowed me to stop the rhetoric and personally make a difference. We are on this double edge sword in our district. Because we are blessed with dedicated teachers and administrators who strive for excellence, the community is not fully aware of how much of a financial struggle it is with our current state funding levels. The expression, ‘Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes,’ rings true here. Walking in some of the district’s administrators shoes would require many trips to Foot Locker.”

How do residents get in touch with Friends of Oak Park Schools?

“If anyone would like to assist us in volunteering their time or simply send a suggestion or a check, our address is Friends of Oak Park Schools, 638 Lindero Canyon Road, No. 126, Oak Park, CA 91377.”