Public-Private Partnership
Public–Private Partnership School
Rancho Santa Fe is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the nation largely because of the shared mission of the community for our school to be among the best in the country.
The National Association of School Foundations considers the RSF Education Foundation one of the leading school foundations in the nation. The funds raised each year represent approximately 10% of the school’s annual budget and substantially impact the quality of education provided.
The Rancho Santa Fe School District is a Basic Aid District, which means the District receives 75-80% of funding from local property taxes. Last year the school lost $400,000 in property tax income due to the economic downturn, foreclosures and reassessed property values. This year it is estimated that the loss will be an additional $38,000-$146,000.
Federal funds account for around 1% of the budget and historically state funds represent around 4%. Last year the school received $636,304 from the state but had to return $257,651 in response to the state budget crisis and to help alleviate the burden on Revenue Limit school districts that receive the majority of their funding from the state. This year the school is budgeting for zero funds from the state.
In response to this lost funding the school has cut back on personnel and supplies in ways that will not affect student programs or student services.
Additionally, the school has had to rely more heavily on private funding from parents through the Education Foundation by increasing our request to parents from $800,000 to $1,000,000 for the second year.
In order to maintain our small class sizes, specialized teachers and the other cornerstones of our Five-Star Education programs, the Foundation must solicit and count on the help of ALL of our school parents. It has become a Foundation of necessity. Without Education Foundation funds over these past years and in years to come our school environment would be no different from other public schools in the area where class sizes are 32, and specialized teachers for art, athletics, math, music, computer, drama, technology and science are rarely found in the elementary schools. Some schools have turned these programs over to parent volunteers instead of credentialed specialists.
In conclusion, there is no doubt public education in this country has changed forever and the formation of school foundations has become a necessity across the country. It is critical that all of us plan our family budgets each year to include a contribution to the Education Foundation that reflects the Fair Share costs per child or as close to that figure as possible. Fair Share is the total amount of the goal or $1,000,000 divided by the student population of 668. This year it is $1,497 per child. We believe education is the single most important gift a parent can give to their child, and we sincerely hope that each and every one of you will contribute every year with a new mindset of understanding and commitment.
