Peninsula Education Foundation

much higher suggested donation amount. San Marino's Education Foundation suggests $2,000 per child and Man- hattan Beach Education Foundation asks for $1,250 per child. Although we suggest $500 per student, we appreci- ate any donation you can give. It takes everyone's support to keep our schools great. We're also happy to set up automatic monthly payments to make your donation as easy as possible for you. The important thing is that your family participates by giving what you can. I DON'T KNOW WHERE MY MONEY TO PEF GOES. It's simple. We pay for staff at school sites – including more teachers for smaller class sizes overall, music teachers, counselors, library/ technology aides, P.E. teachers, and College & Career Center staff. Plus we pay costs associated with the middle school and high school STEM programs. How can you be sure? We receive reporting from the district on the cost of the school site positions we fund and we see receipts for engineering program related expendi- tures. We have financial accountability information on our website as well as audited financials available upon request. The Foundation's expenses are also kept to a minimum with rent free office space; 34 volunteer Trustees providing pro bono expertise in a wide range of areas; and donations of food and venues for receptions and outreach events. We also follow all IRS regulations for 501c3 nonprofits and conduct an annual financial audit. I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE WAY THE DISTRICT IS RUN SO I WON'T GIVE. I WANT TO SEND A MESSAGE. PEF is not part of the school district. Withholding a donation won't have the desired effect because PEF does not intercede with regard to curriculum, particular personnel or other matters not related to fundraising for our schools. All parents have a direct route they can take to express concerns -- they can go to the elected school board and school district administration. By not donating you are only hurting your child and everyone's children's chances at having the best education possible in our PVPUSD schools. MY CHILDREN ALREADY GRADUATED Congratulations! Did you know that 10% of our donors are alumni parents? Some families donate for decades after their children have graduated because they are grateful for what their children received from PEF and the PVPUSD. Many also recognize that their property values are supported by keeping our schools great. I DON'T DONATE BECAUSE I'VE BEEN DISAPPOINTED BY A PROGRAM AREA FUNDED BY PEF You donate and of course you want to see results. So do we. You've seen class sizes go up at the same time that PEF is funding $1.5M in teaching positions to keep class sizes smaller. The problem is that state funding cuts have been so drastic for so many years that the cuts each year have out-paced our fundraising. We do have smaller class sizes in our district than would be possible with state funding alone. Imagine if PEF did not provide funding for additional teaching positions. 3rd grade classes of 45 are not unheard of in Los Angeles. The solution is to donate, not to withhold a donation. Regarding the quality of a program we fund, we want to hear from you. We survey all donors periodically to learn which programs are meet- ing parent expectations. We want to provide funding for the programs you care about and provide enough funding to make them the best possible. PROPOSITION 30 PASSED - PROBLEM SOLVED Proposition 30 is a temporary, six year measure, that prevented $6 million in additional cuts to our schools. Unfortnately, it wasn't a cure-all and it did not provide additional funds for our schools. S U M M E R A U G U S T 2 0 1 3

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