PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Sharon Raffer,
Director of Communications

When Poway Unified School District Superintendent Donald Phillips is not at budget meetings, he is discussing the impact of the state budget crisis with staff, parents, other superintendents, state legislators, and the business community. He has connected with Sacramento and written letters explaining the effects of the loss of $14.5 million to Poway Unified’s educational program. He has carefully reviewed the district’s budget to look for reductions, having made $5 million in cuts last year. At informal staff gatherings at schools throughout the 100 square-mile district, Superintendent Phillips shares his analysis that the cuts reach far too deep into children’s basic education. At a recent Palomar Council PTA meeting he told the parents that the District would need to take a very conservative worst-case scenario approach to Sacramento’s message and “everything would be put on the table” for possible reductions.

Most of all during these discussions, Don Phillips spends time listening. From the parents he began hearing, “Can’t we do something?” Questions came up about how much it would cost to fund fifth grade band, save class size reduction in kindergarten, and maintain the full athletic program at the middle and high schools. When Jennifer Kuhlman, an elementary and middle school parent, emailed the Superintendent to ask, “How much would it cost to keep all the additional cuts from directly affecting school sites and our children?” Dr. Phillips replied $300 per student (the district’s enrollment is approximately 33,000 students).

Now, rather than sit back and watch the budget cuts happen, the districtwide PUSD Foundation has taken as its inaugural task to serve as the umbrella organization through which funds raised to close the $9 million budget gap can occur.

The Community Campaign for Quality Education asks everyone to help. Believing that the State is not going to address the needs of the school district, it is hoped that as a community a difference can be made for the children. It is recognized that some can give very little and others will be able to donate much more. By pulling together as a community, PUSD children will be able to be provided with the quality education they deserve. People and businesses who have the means can help by sponsoring a child whose parents cannot afford to make a donation. This would preserve essential services and programs that support student growth and development.

Information about the Community Campaign for Quality Education will be available on the Poway Unified School District web site at www.powayusd.com.

For more information and for ways to help support this effort, please call Jennifer Kuhlman (858) 484-2701, or Linda Cialeo (858) 335-7133 Community Campaign for Quality Education or Irene Frank, Director for Partnership in Education Program and Educational Foundation. Donations are tax deductible and checks may be made out to the PUSD Foundation.