News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Money raised by the Sisters Schools Foundation has been a shot in the arm for many school programs, but it won't make a big difference in the schools' current budget crisis.
This year, the foundation has about $35,000 to distribute, raised through a combination of donations and fund-raisers such as the Sisters Starry Nights Concert Series.
The school district is facing a budget shortfall that will force about $400,000 in cuts to next year's budget.
"It's less than 10 percent of what they're talking about having to cut," said foundation president Rod Morris.
Morris emphasized that the foundation and the school district are distinct from one another.
"We've always said it's an arms-length relationship, but holding hands," Morris said.
Foundation funds are not calculated in the school's general fund budget, which is where the money has run short. And foundation money cannot be used to pay salaries, which is where much of the shortfall is going to be made up.
The schools will not replace 4.5 teaching positions where teachers are leaving next year.
Foundation funds do help specific programs. The foundation has contributed funds to purchase equipment for health classes, video equipment and science lab equipment.
Sports and arts programs have received funds distributed to various activities.
In a pinch, foundation funds could replace some funds cut out of the budget to buy things like textbooks and classroom equipment.
As the foundation gets richer, it can do more. Morris said that 25 percent of donations each year is placed in an endowment fund to build the foundation. And the foundation affords the opportunity for donors to see their money stay at home.
Every dollar of foundation money stays in the district, unlike tax dollars, which are distributed throughout the state.
But the Sisters Schools Foundation was never intended to prop up basic school operations.
"Our purpose has always been to assist and enhance school programs," Morris said.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
Reader Comments(0)