Vashon Island Public Schools Foundation Programs
As a Washington state tax payer, what part of K-12 schooling are you ready to cut? Electives in the high school and middle school? Appropriately sized classrooms? Librarians? Art? Or are none of these cuts acceptable?
On Vashon, as most families and alums will tell you, we pride ourselves on the great education our children get from kindergarten to twelfth grade. From art classes to athletic programs, from creative writing to science electives, from band to calculus, we want our children to get the most out of their education. And the thought of cutting programs that help students become productive, thoughtful, and creative adults is an option that we don’t believe in.The economic conditions in the state being what they are (a current $1.2 billion shortfall for this year), have made the phrases “new normal” and “bridging the gap” fairly common. What also has become common is the knowing that it’s up to us to keep public education great. We are not ok with just standing by while the State cuts school funding year after year.
The Vashon Island Public Schools Foundation was created two years ago with one simple goal: raise money to help make up for the lack of State funding.
Recent Successes and Current Challenges
Over the past three years, the Foundation has raised 1.2 million dollars allowing the district to retain teaching staff. This year we’re faced with the same challenge: our goal is to raise $500,000.
The new strategic plan as well as the adoption of the Common Core are two great examples of how the district is working hard on being forward thinking and trying to expand how students are taught. We need the funds to keep the momentum forward – keeping our great teachers, continuing to educate them, and thereby helping to develop students who are multidimensional learners.