05/08/2008: "$275K Raised For SJI School District"

San Juan Island School Superintendent Michael Soltman has reported impressive community response to a call for help in balancing the budget. A budget that is short by $600K. A budget that is required to be balanced by May 15.

Soltman said on Wednesday that local donors have coordinated efforts, and have so far pledged $275,000 -with more expected- toward a “Challenge Gift” to the School District designed to offset otherwise potential program reductions required to meet the budget requirements.

SJ islander Charles Anderson is the current Chair of the San Juan Island Community Foundation Board, and said, "these donors are committed to ensuring that our schools will continue to provide an outstanding education on San Juan Island." Anderson is optimistic that other donors will soon step forward to preserve school programs in precognition of the importance of education to a healthy community.

San Juan County is not alone in finding that money is not there for all of the programs. In an email, Soltman stated there are “significant program cutting” in other school districts..due to inadequate basic education funding.”

Soltman pointed out that “SJISD (San Juan Island School District) was early in identifying this problem this year due to our ability to work with our business manager, Ben Thomas, and Northwest ESD to run the revenue formulas over a month ago. Our early analysis has allowed our community to have more indepth conversation and understanding of this issue, and to have the time to work together to address this challenge through local fundraising efforts.”

Donations so far have included an anonymous gift through the “Fairway Fund”, as well as donations from David McCauley, Cloud Oakes, Scott Boden, and Charles Anderson & Pamela Gross. This collective “challenge gift” anticipates other successful fundraising efforts planned by the community, including the “Save Our Schools” phone appeal through the San Juan Public Schools Foundation scheduled for this Thursday evening, 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. (see story below).

Those wishing to make a contribution may call the Schools Foundation “SOS Hotline” at 370-7925, or to use the “donate now” secure link on the Foundation website, www.sjpsf.org

Soltman expressed gratitude for the generous gift of $10,500 from Carolyn Haugen to preserve the UW Marine Laboratory K-12 Outreach Program. Carolyn helped launch this program while principal at the elementary school. She stated, “I just wanted to do my part to preserve what I believe to be an essential part of our science program. I urge others to step forward as they are able to ensure the continued excellence of all of our school programs.”

Michael Soltman and Boyd Pratt, School Board Chair, also expressed thanks to the well coordinated efforts of the San Juan Island Community Foundation, San Juan Public Schools Foundation, and other school support organizations to raise funds to address the shortfall.

Boyd said, “We are so encouraged by the response of our community to sustain the quality of our schools. This “Challenge Gift” provides a real opportunity to preserve our academic and co-curricular programs for the next year, however the challenge is huge and requires the full commitment of our community to raise the matching funds to meet it.”