By REBECCA GROSS Special to the Daily Press
The school district’s dismal financial situation was a laughing matter this week when more than 200 people gathered to raise money for McKinley Elementary School.
About 250 parents and community members attended a fundraiser highlighted with local comedians to generate thousands of dollars for McKinley’s art and music programs. The event was held at Shutters on the Beach hotel on Wednesday night.
The exact profit for the evening has not yet been determined, but in previous years the event has raised between $4,000 and $8,000.
The fundraiser featured Paula Poundstone, Bobby Collins and Bobby Kenton. Tickets were $40.
“(The money) will serve as a source for us to provide music and visiting performers for our school,” said McKinley Principal Wendy Wax.
The Santa Monica Malibu Unifed School District faces a $13 million budget shortfall, and music and arts programs already have been cut by the school board. The budget cuts cover several arts positions, including 6.67 full-time elementary instructional music service personnel, one full-time arts coordinator and 5.19 full-time music aides/accompanists.
59B,“I am definitely concerned and I think that’s why I’m here, to sell as many tickets as possible and try to compensate if possible,” said entrance table volunteer Angela Anthony, whose daughter graduated last year from McKinley. She estimated the event raised about $8,000.
Schools Superintendent John Deasy proposed last November that individual schools shouldn’t be able to use donations or raise money to reinstate lost programs and services as a result of budget cuts. He argued that some schools are able to raise more money and receive larger donations because of parents’ economic class, which makes it unfair to kids who don’t come from wealthy families.
Cheri Orgel, president of the Santa Monica-Malibu PTA Council, said the policy does not prevent raising money for schools.
“It does not stop parent fundraising,” she said. “It just makes sure everything’s equal. If they are cuts made across the district, they can’t be put back at one school and one school alone.”
The money raised at comedy night is not affected because it will be used for program enrichment, not to reinstate cut positions.
If Santa Monica and Malibu voters pass a parcel tax increase, called Proposition S, in a special election on June 3, the district would receive approximately $6.2 million annually for six years. That would allow the district to reinstate the fine arts coordinator, all the music aides and elementary music instructors.
Comedy night’s proceeds will be used to continue programs like assemblies for the school on different cultures and artists in residence, Wax said.
Shutters provided the location and free food for the event. The luxury hotel has helped support McKinley for 10 years.
“I would really like to commend Shutters for their ongoing commitment to our school,” she said. “They have really helped us to defray costs.”
Shutters, which is located at 1 Pico Blvd., also sponsors a Barnes and Nobles shopping spree for school books for teachers at McKinley and provides refreshments for teacher appreciation day and other school events, according to Armella Stephan, Shutters general manager.
“We wanted to go a little further for Santa Monica education,” Stephan said, adding that McKinley is a “Title One” school, which means that the majority of its students come from low-income families. agreed.
“Most of us would not come here (Shutters),” said McKinley parent Nancy Greystone. “It’s not feasible.”
Judging by laughs, the night was enjoyed by those who attended.
“It was great fun,” said Pacific Palisades resident Carol Lanning. “I really believe that the arts in Santa Monica are well deserving and anything I can do to help them, I do.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 11, 2003. Read the original PDF.