No Images? Click here Budget Update & Gala HelpBudget ChallengesAs you have probably heard in the news lately, the San Diego Unified School Board recently approved layoffs for an estimated 1500 employees to help with expected budget challenges next school year. Not surprisingly, UDA faces similar budget challenges in the year ahead. Unfortunately, the approved California state budget for 2017-18 brings less than schools hoped for. As we’ve shared, balancing a charter school budget is no easy feat; charter schools have historically received much less money on the dollar than traditional schools, yet we must finance our own facilities and pay district oversight fees (about $25,000 for UDA). Furthermore, many charter schools continue to offer progressive programming and more enrichment options, such as UDA’s project-based curriculum and our school-wide visual arts, performing arts, STEAM, physical education, and Spanish courses. Enrichment costs this school year totaled over $450,000 for UDA. We have also spent over $30,000 on classroom supplies, particularly to support our creative and growing interdisciplinary projects. To add to already existing challenges, we are faced with an increase in costs of around $300,000 for our K-8 school facility beginning in the 2017-18 school year; this expected cost is part of our facility payment structure over time. In addition, schools across California face large increases in CalSTRS (California State Teachers Retirement System) contributions over the next several years; state-mandated pensions will cost an additional $40,000 in 2017-18 alone, with costs continuing to increase. Through Network efforts this school year, our families have helped bring in over $10,000 to support our classrooms. This money was mostly brought in through our Fall Festival and ongoing “passive” fundraisers such as monthly social outings for families. We so appreciate all of these efforts and successes so far from our families. And we still need your help! How You Can HelpWe need your help now more than ever! Please support us by helping make our spring Gala successful and by reaching out to your networks for potential corporate sponsorships. We will also be soliciting input from all stakeholders this spring through our annual LCAP process; stay tuned for questionnaires and LCAP meetings so your voices can be heard. We will continue to update you on the state of our budget and decisions we might need to make together as a community. Sponsors & DonationsUDA is still looking to secure more sponsors and donations for the Gala in order to meet our goal of raising $100,000, and you can help! Seek out individuals or corporations that you believe would like to sponsor. Thank you to the following companies and individuals who have already stepped up: Navarra Family ($5k), Robert Smittcamp with Lyons Magnus ($2.5k), Sally Ride Science @UCSD ($2.5k), Lowe Enterprises ($1.5k), KCM Group ($1.5k), BakerNowicki Design Group ($1.5k), Hanft Family ($1.k). There are sponsorship opportunities at different levels, and all sponsors will receive leveled recognition: invitations, promotions, websites, event programs, signage, and handouts. Sponsorship materials may be found here, and donation materials are located here. Each classroom is also preparing a Gala basket; contact your room parent for suggestions on how to contribute. Drink DonationsThis year, all drinks will be included in the cost of the ticket. To make this happen, UDA is accepting drink donations, all the way down to cans of soda. Please review the list of suggested items here to see how you can still contribute. TicketsTickets are $80 each, and are available for purchase here. We also appreciate sponsorships for staff members. Upon check out, you may specify the number of tickets you would like to donate in the “Order Notes” section. Support your teachers and staff by buying them a ticket to the Gala this year! |