Last year, the impact of the California budget crisis on our schools was a source of grave concern and a topic of speculation among parents, teachers, administration and students. We faced a serious threat to the core strengths of our schools: the people and programs that have made the Claremont Unified School District among the State's finest.
The budget crisis was painfully real. The CUSD had already cut $1,131,636 from the 2003-04 budget. And CUSD was faced with the task for the 2004-05 school year of cutting almost one million dollars more from its budget.
The Save Our Schools Campaign
The Save Our Schools Campaign (SOS) was launched to "bridge the gap" in the School District's funding. We needed this huge effort to preserve the integrity of and reputation for excellence long enjoyed by Claremont schools. The Save Our Schools Campaign was sponsored by the Claremont Educational Foundation (CEF) in close collaboration with the Claremont Unified School District and its Parent Faculty Association. The Save Our Schools Campaign was a major, District wide, voluntary fund-raising campaign that had the goal of enhancing and enriching the educational experience of all children in each of the Claremont public schools.
The Claremont Educational Foundation's Save Our Schools Campaign, which began in March 2004 amid much uncertainty about the 2004-05 CUSD budget, has been successful beyond all expectations. As of December 1, 2004, the SOS Campaign had raised over $650,000 from more than 1, 500 contributors.
The SOS Campaign has presented two gifts to the Claremont Unified School District Board. The first was presented on Monday, June 7 during its regularly scheduled 7 p.m. meeting. The restricted grant was in the amount of $350,000 for the specific purpose of restoring the following programs that were cut by the School Board at its May 17th meeting:
School Board Decisions:
Make class size in K-3 as close to 20 as possible
Budget Cut: $240,000
Restored by SOS: $120,000
Increase class size at CHS from 34 to 35
Budget Cut: $120,000
Restored by SOS: $120,000
Increase class size at El Roble from 33 to 34
Budget Cut: $60,000
Restored by SOS: $60,000
Reduce library/media staff at Elementary schools
Budget Cut: $50,000
Restored by SOS: $50,000
The generosity of SOS Campaign contributors allowed the District to rehire two teachers at the elementary level, one teacher at the intermediate level and two teachers at the high school level. Library funding was also restored to the 2003-04 level.
On Monday, October 18th, at the regularly scheduled CUSD Board meeting, CEF made a second restricted grant of $50,000 in support of the Claremont High School’s (CHS’s) extracurricular transportation needs. This amount of funding was cut by the School Board earlier in the year and jeopardized the quality of athletics and other activities, such as band and debate at CHS.
Remaining funds are being held by CEF in an SOS Emergency Fund. That SOS Emergency Fund will be available to protect the SOS Campaign priority programs as needed in the future. CEF is currently in the process of reviewing other cuts in District programs and services made this year and their potential impact on SOS Campaign priority programs.
The incredible success of the SOS Campaign would not have been possible without the dedication, generosity and support of our many volunteers and donors. The Claremont Educational Foundation extends its gratitude to everyone who helped to Save Our Schools!
The SOS Campaign raised funds for the following broad categories of programs that were eliminated or were slated for elimination during the 2004-05 academic year:
Elementary Schools
Restore and secure Class Size Reduction Program (K-3)
Preserve class size (4-6)
Retain Library/Media staff, Attendance Clerks
Safeguard the After School Music Program
Preserve extracurricular activities
IntermediateSchool
Preserve class size
Retain Library/Media staff
Retain counselors and advisors
Preserve the After School Music Program
High School
Preserve class size
Preserve advanced placement and elective courses
Retain coaching and athletic assignments, and extracurricular activities
Retain counselors, advisors and psychologists
Retain Library/Media staff
