A Presentation to Donors & Potential Foundation Board Members “Is There a Need & Why Start A SH Public Schools Foundation?” Presented by the South Haven Public Schools Foundation

Budgets are Shrinking. The Need is Here… 1. Government Budget Cuts 2. Our School System Now 3. In the Class Room 4. Our Student Body

Two Examples of Government Budget Cuts The State of Michigan- May 2011 – Michigan House of Rep approved a school funding cut of $340 per student. * The Federal Government- In RIF (Reading is Fundamental) was cut out of the Federal budget.** *Source: mlive.com Michigan's Leading Web Site for News, Information and Community Interaction ** Source: Elaine Fluck, coordinator of the local RIF program and a member of the AAUW, the program's local sponsor.

Our School System… 3 Teachers retired in 2011…they were not replaced.* 2011 saw Secretarial, Custodial & Maintenance cuts. The Spanish language class taught at the Middle School was eliminated for the 6 th Graders.** Our school system started using ‘School Reserves’ in and again in If this continues the reserves will run out.*** *Source: South Haven Schools Superintendents office. **Source: Baseline Middle School Administration ***Source: South Haven School Board Minutes

In One Classroom Alone… $175 allowance: The 4 th Grade Teachers are given a $175 allowance for supplies and 1 pencil per student per month. Extra project materials: must be purchased by the teacher her/himself. Computers: We have over used computer labs and servers that cannot handle additional computers added in the classroom which makes the bank of laptops at school virtually unusable. Educational Field Trips: One a year supported by fundraiser. A School Nurse is needed: Even on a part-time basis, it would help diagnose health problems and aid in prevention programs. Source: From an interview with an Elementary School Teacher in 2011.

Our Elementary Student Body An Alarming Statistic: Approx. 70% of our elementary students are qualifying for reduced or paid lunches.* Families living at the poverty level cannot afford the luxuries of the middle class. Ex: Computers, internet, extra supplies for projects. Our question…Will they be able keep up with their peers in school? *Source: Backpacks for Kids program / Elementary school data from teacher at North Shore Elementary.

Where will we find the funds needed? To serve all our students well educationally & emotionally To make sure our teachers have the tools they need, to keep our education at the level necessary for all our students to succeed in the world today. The gifted as well as the underprivileged. To ensure all our students are prepared for the challenge as they enter college or the work force.

The Foundations Potential: 21 st Century and Beyond Equip our Teachers to handle the educational needs of today’s Students in today’s world. Equal Educational Opportunities for All Provide needed supplies & equipment that help all of our Students to grow.

The History of Educational Foundations in South Haven Let’s look back …. Has there ever been a Educational Foundation in South Haven? The answer is… Yes, but it was dissolved in 1997.* * Based upon an article in the South Haven Tribune (29 Aug 10), mentioning the existence of an Educational Foundation for the South Haven Schools, and a search of records indicated that there was such an organization but it was terminated in 1997.

What’s Available Right Now? “The South Haven Community Foundation” It Currently Houses 6 Funds: 1.The Community Foundation Endowment Fund 2.The Community Foundation Youth Endowment Fund ( Scholarships for high school student community projects) 3.The Immediate Needs Fund 4.The We Care INC Endowment Fund 5.Stanley Johnston Mem.Park Endowment Fund 6.The Partners For Scholarship Fund (For College Scholarships)

Why then have a separate School Education Foundation? 1. For Immediate Recognition, adding to the success of the organization. To establish and control you own brand. There’s immediate recognition defining the individual Foundation. 2. Because People give to Specific Causes and for Specific Tangible Projects. 3. The Donations can be Directed to One Clearly Defined Location and dispersed through an organized application process. There have been many different bank accounts started over the years from donations in memory of a teacher or student.

May 2012 The Incorporation of the new South Haven Public Schools Foundation!

What can you do to make a difference? You can donate to our School Foundation. Your financial support can make a difference in many lives, in many ways. Please send your donation to: South Haven Public Schools Foundation c/o South Haven Schools 554 Green St. South Haven, MI