麻豆原创

At Thursday鈥檚 meeting, 麻豆原创鈥檚 Board of Education will consider reconstituting its nonprofit, 501(c)(3) foundation to make it more effective at raising funds for schools.

In addition, trustees will discuss a pilot program for donations that would be used to reduce classroom sizes, retain current teachers and recruit new teachers.

The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Serna Center, 5735 47th Ave.

鈥淭ough fiscal times call on us to explore every possible avenue for increasing revenue,鈥� said Superintendent Jonathan Raymond, who will present reports on both plans at Thursday鈥檚 meeting. 鈥淭he state鈥檚 underfunding of public education requires districts to be more innovative and resourceful than ever before.鈥�

The district鈥檚 501(c)(3), which is registered with the Internal Revenue Service, was originally called Children鈥檚 Health Education and Support Services, or CHESS. The purpose of the foundation, as stated in its articles of incorporation, was the 鈥渄elivery of health education and support services for children and their families.鈥�

Over time, the foundation named was changed to Focus on Assets & Children鈥檚 Educational Success, or FACES. Trustees on Thursday will consider amendments to the bylaws that broaden the group鈥檚 purpose and a possible name change to 鈥淜ids First for Sacramento City Unified School District,鈥� which is aligned with the district鈥檚 Strategic Plan 2010-2014: Putting Children First.

At Thursday鈥檚 meeting, trustees will also consider a pilot donation program developed by a citizen鈥檚 group working with former Board Member Roy Grimes. The group, representing Sacramento鈥檚 business community, brought the idea for a donation program that would support small class sizes to the Board last spring. Grimes worked with the group on a plan that would allow 60 percent of funds raised in a trustee area to be retained for use by schools in that district.

The 2011-12 budget year is shaping up to be especially challenging for schools, as Governor Brown has proposed a budget that hinges on voter approval of tax extensions in June. Even if voters pass tax
extensions in a special election, it is projected that more cuts will be needed to balance 麻豆原创鈥檚 budget for next year, due to the lingering recession and enrollment declines in some areas.

鈥淎s I鈥檝e said many times, schools cannot accomplish everything without help and partners,鈥� Raymond said. 鈥淭hese plans will help our community help us as we help them.鈥�