The Irvine Public Schools Foundation kicked off its annual campaign this week to raise money for local schools, which stand to receive double the benefit. That's because the City of Irvine, through its 2010 Measure R initiative, has pledged to contribute up to $875,200 in a dollar-for-dollar match to help ease the impacts of larger class sizes. IPSF has already collected more than $300,000 of that total this calendar year, and the foundation is hoping to raise the remaining $500,000 before Dec. 31. Factoring in the city’s match, Irvine schools could receive as much as $1.8 million for class-size support. IUSD Board of Education President Sue Kuwabara and Superintendent Terry Walker sent an email to the community on Oct. 18 expressing their support for the campaign, noting that the revenue “will make a difference where it matters most – in the classroom.” “At the elementary level, proceeds from this campaign will pay for qualified instructional assistants, increasing the amount of one‐on‐one interaction,” Kuwabara and Walker wrote. “In our middle and high schools, class‐size support funds will provide additional staffing hours, thereby reducing student‐to‐teacher ratios in critical subjects.” Here’s the full text:
Dear IUSD parent:
By now, you’re probably all too aware of the impacts of California’s budget crisis, which has forced the Irvine Unified School District to make nearly $40 million worth of reductions. Unfortunately, our state’s economy remains mired in a slump, and more cuts are anticipated.
That’s the bad news.
The good news is that the Irvine Public Schools Foundation is working hard to raise money on our behalf, and the City of Irvine has offered to contribute up to $900,000 in a dollar-for-dollar match with the foundation. That means if you donate a dollar, the City will kick in an additional dollar, potentially generating as much as $1.8 million.
These funds will make a difference where it matters most – in the classroom. At the elementary level, proceeds from this campaign will pay for qualified instructional assistants, increasing the amount of one‐on‐one interaction. In our middle and high schools, class‐size support funds will provide additional staffing hours, thereby reducing student‐to‐teacher ratios in critical subjects. In addition, IPSF supports music education for students in kindergarten through grade six, as well as grants that enable our teachers and counselors to embrace 21st century learning strategies.
Though any amount is appreciated, IPSF and IUSD are asking you to consider a tax-deductible contribution of $365 – or $1 per day – by the end of the calendar year. We know this is a lot to ask, particularly during these tough economic times. But this revenue will make an immediate impact in our classrooms.
Keep in mind that IPSF is the only organization with the reach and resources to impact every school – and every child – in our district. If you’ve ever considered making a contribution to preserve excellence in the classroom, or even to help maintain the property values that are linked to our schools’ performance, now is the time.
To make a donation, or to learn more about the partnership between IUSD, IPSF and the City of Irvine, please click here or visit the foundation’s website at www.ipsf.net.
As always, thank you for supporting education in Irvine.
Sue Kuwabara President, Board of Education
Terry L. Walker Superintendent of Schools