By Jean Sedillos Santa Monica Disparity in schools is nothing new Editor:
I think we are collectively moving, kicking and screaming (the Santa Monica- Malibu way), toward a gift policy that can be a national model for school districts with demographics like ours.
The two voluntary components in Superintendent Deasy’s revised version really intrigue me. The volunteer fundraising group he’s suggested will address a problem I heard expressed to the board on Jan. 22 by many parents from John Adams, Edison and McKinley schools. These parents said they were willing to, and did, spend as much time fundraising as the wealthier schools but lacked “the contacts” to raise large sums. This proposed volunteer group can provide the contacts with philanthropic individuals, businesses, and foundations — and help the less wealthy schools develop long-term relationships with donors.
The same benefit, plus more, will result from the “sister-school” teams that the district will help establish. I believe many parents in this community would be happy to work with parents from a school that needs fundraising help. People are much more likely to volunteer their time and money when they know the needs and see the results. The personal relationships forged between wealthy and less wealthy parent and student bodies would enrich everyone involved.
The gift policy still needs revision for this voluntary component to work. The coop-eration of successful fundraisers is vital to the plan, yet here is what the district says to them in the current mandatory/voluntary version of the policy: “Yo, volunteers! New policy! I’m forcing your group to donate 15 percent of what you raise to ‘My Fund.’You’ll just have to work harder to replace that money in your budget. Now, who’s interested in volunteering even more time to raise even more money for ‘My Fund?’”
The silence will be deafening. Or maybe not. The district could receive many animated suggestions as to what it can do with “Its Fund.”
I hope the school board will show confidence in the good will and social responsibility of the Santa Monica and Malibu communities and implement only the voluntary parts of the proposed gift policy. Why not give people a chance to do the right thing on their own before forcing them?
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 26, 2004. Read the original PDF.