San Marino Schools Foundation Presents $1 Million Check to District

Representative Trustees and staff from the San Marino Schools Foundation formally presented a check for $1 million to the San Marino Unified School District at the July 14 meeting of the School Board. The check represents a partial disbursement of 2014-2015 Annual Campaign donations received by the Foundation from generous District families, community members and businesses. The Foundation expects to disburse a total of more than $2 million to the District from the campaign that ended June 30.

Donations to the Foundation are used by the District to pay for teacher salaries and, along with the voter approved parcel tax, are critical to funding enhanced curriculum, academic innovation and reduced class sizes. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Alex Cherniss commented, “The support of our Schools Foundation is an integral part of why we are a first class school district. These funds support over 30 certificated positions, which ensures that our class sizes are low and our course offerings are expansive. These funds will also allow us to offer new courses in the coming school year, included grades 4-12 computer science classes, Honors Humanities at the Huntington Library, and elementary band and orchestra.”

The San Marino community has consistently supported excellence in education for our children, and the results have been amazing. The District was ranked #1 in California for 11 straight years based on State API scores. Every District school is a California Distinguished School, and three of the four schools have been designated National Blue Ribbon Schools. Our students are challenged and well prepared for success in their future endeavors.

The District seeks even greater excellence for our children in the coming year, and the Foundation’s goal in kicking off its 2015-2016 Annual Campaign is to help ensure the required funds are available. The Governor’s Local Control Funding leaves San Marino near the bottom in California State per pupil funding at only $7,400 per student (whereas districts like LA Unified with large disadvantaged and English learner populations receive $11,000 per student.) Donations to the Foundation to supplement inadequate state funding are as important as ever.

It is vital that District families donate or pledge to the Foundation as they complete their on-line First Day packets in August. The Foundation will also be contacting community members and local businesses throughout the campaign. Your donations truly make a difference in ensuring that our children receive an education that allows them to achieve their goals.

For a full copy of this article in Chinese click here.

For more information about the San Marino Schools Foundation, visit www.smsf.org.

San Marino Unified School District, 1665 West Dr., San Marino, (626) 299-7000, or visit www.smusd.us.