EDITOR: The Board of Trustees of the Jefferson School District will hold its final meeting of the academic year on Tuesday, June 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Jefferson School Cafeteria.
On the agenda for this meeting is an action item to invest in the children's future by means of hiring or contracting a grant-writing specialist. This grant consultant individual or firm would dedicate time to seeking and following up on opportunities to acquire grant monies for the district from both the public and private sector.
There are numerous public and private programs, foundations and philanthropists that are dedicated to assisting in the education and the preparation of the child for his or her future. Many of these are focused on music education. Others may fund transportation costs or special education – both of which currently encroach upon the general fund. Even in the unlikely scenario that a grant consultant was unable to acquire funding for the music program, it is possible that funds could be acquired for special education or transportation that would reduce encroachment on the general fund, thus allowing those extra monies in the general fund to support the primary music program.
The board's existing paradigm for budget balancing includes cost-cutting measures (cutting corners) and program elimination. Wouldn't a better approach be to increase revenues before having to deny the students access to education that no one can argue they should have.
Any revenue increase efforts currently being made by the district (e.g., bussing fees) are asked of the same taxpayers (the parents and district residents) already providing the tax base. Doesn't it seem logical to widen the pool of funding sources rather than dipping into the same well over and over?
The superintendent of Stockton City Unified School District, George Ridler was, just a few years ago, as staunchly opposed to the concept of paying a grant consultant as Jefferson superintendent Ed Quinn is today. Ms. Bonnie Mansfield, the grant writer for Stockton Unified, has in the past two years raised nearly $20 million in grant funding, and has turned Mr. Ridler into a true advocate of the approach. He is now so much in favor of the grant writing approach, he has hired an assistant grant writer to work with Ms. Mansfield.
Ms. Mansfield suggested that it would behoove the district if our superintendent were to speak with Mr. Ridler. I have passed this suggestion on, however Mr. Quinn was unable to tell me whether or not he would attempt to contact Mr. Ridler.
Given the possible impact of this upcoming vote on your child's future, no school board meeting could be more important for parents to attend than the one this coming Tuesday.
For those who have already shown support by signing our petition, your attendance at the board meeting would amplify your voiced support. For those that have not, here is your chance to be an involved parent protecting and enhancing your child's future.
Dan Wells
musicforjefferson.org
Tracy