BELLINGHAM - The Bellingham Public School Foundation is back up and running with a new director and advisory board, after a few years of dormancy.
The restarting of the nonprofit foundation is just in time, according to Executive Director Gennie Clawson, because school districts need to rely more on local support to close gaps in federal or state funding.
The foundation was created in 1992 by former school board member Elaine Lynch in an effort to support classroom teachers with small grants for special programs or materials. A few years ago, the foundation stopped fundraising or providing much support, due to changes in district and foundation leadership, Clawson said.
But now that the foundation has been revitalized, it will continue to support schools with small grants, as well as support the district as a whole. Specific funding initiatives include helping provide classroom supplies and equipment, and offering need-based scholarships for students to help remove "barriers to academic success," which could include covering fees for Advanced Placement tests or tuition for special programs.
"There are so many needs, we're trying to funnel that down and have a greater impact rather than a scattershot approach," Clawson said, adding later, "We're trying to identify what has the greatest impact and makes the most economic sense."
Clawson, who has two children in Bellingham schools, said the foundation will not replace the work of parent-teacher organizations or booster clubs, but rather will supplement them and provide more connections to outside organizations.
She sees the foundation as part of a three-pronged approach to financially support the district with local funds: One leg is revenue from local levies and bonds, another leg is individual school parent-teacher organizations, and the third is the foundation, which can help the district as a whole as well as help with disparities among schools.
The foundation is governed by a board of trustees, which currently has nine parents and community members from across the district. Eventually the board will have 11 members, Clawson said.
Another focus this year is to increase money in the foundation's account, with a goal of raising $100,000. An anonymous donor has committed to matching donations this school year, up to $100,000, Clawson said.
The foundation and Bellingham School District have an agreement for the 2011-12 school year that outlines what each entity will do for the other. The district is providing the foundation with office space and necessary supplies as well as clerical support, with expenses not to exceed $25,000. The foundation is committed to providing $20,000 in school-level grants plus about $8,000 for staff events.
RACE FOR EDUCATION
Bellingham Public School Foundation and Communities in Schools of Whatcom County are joining forces for the third annual Race for Education 5K. The two groups will share proceeds from the event.
When: 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.
Where: start and finish at Civic Stadium.
Cost: $15 for students, $20 for educators or members of local race associations, $25 for general public.
Registration: People can register online at whatcomraceforeducation.org or starting at 8 a.m. the day of the race.
ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
For details about Bellingham Public School Foundation, see foundation.bellinghamschools.org, or contact Executive Director Gennie Clawson, 360-676-6479 or supportbpsf@bellinghamschools.org.
