Calling All Supporters of Davis Schools

DSF Invites You to Attend Community Planning Forum

The Davis Schools Foundation (DSF) invites the public to a planning forum for the upcoming Dollar-a-Day Campaign, which will run from March 15 to May 1.

The forum will be held from 8:45-10:00 am on Thursday, March 4, at the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge (415 2nd St.)  All who want to learn more about the campaign are urged to attend, especially people who might like to volunteer.

Attendees will discuss strategies for raising $5.6 million, the sum that the Davis Joint Unified School District must cut from its 2010-11 budget.  The budget shortfall is the result of reductions in school funding from the state.  To address the shortfall, the school district is issuing a first round of layoff notices to 102 employees.

The budget cutbacks will impact every child in the school district, particularly through larger class sizes and fewer course offerings.  A comprehensive description of the situation is available at District Dollars under “Superintendent’s Proposal.”

The foundation and the school district have agreed upon a plan that allows programs to be saved and staff to be retained through contributions to the campaign. The foundation is already accepting donations online.  Individuals may make a one-time gift or set up a monthly contribution plan via credit card.

The campaign begins officially on March 15 and continues for six weeks.  Various promotions are planned, including the annual Schoolapalooza event, which is set for April 24 in downtown Davis.

Specifically, this year DSF will target its efforts to help fund:

• Lower class size in grades K-3 and 9-10
• Restore secondary core programming
• Save the jobs of counselors who work with our junior high and high school students
• Save positions that support campus safety

The Davis Schools Foundation’s mission is to support educational excellence in Davis public schools by raising funds from the community for district-wide programs or that promote equitable opportunities between schools.  It is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) founded in 2005 and run by a volunteer board of parents and community members.  Fundraising expenses are kept to a minimum, with 97 cents of every dollar contributed going to the schools.

The nationally acclaimed Davis community effort of two years ago resulted in DSF being able to write a check for $1.5 million to the district, saving many educational opportunities and programs at every single public school campus in Davis.

John Ferrera, foundation Board member, asks “Please join us for a discussion of how best to reach those willing and able to help our schools in the Davis community.  We ask nothing more from you than a friendly ear and your input on how best to communicate to our City of Davis neighbors so that they are aware of our effort and the need to SAVE OUR SCHOOLS.”

To RSVP for the March 4 forum, contact John at (530) 759-9027 or John.Ferrera@sen.ca.gov.

Individuals who can’t attend the forum but might like to volunteer with the campaign may email info@davisschoolsfoundation.org. For more information visit the Davis Schools Foundation website.