A. Ann Arbor offers a comprehensive public school system with a nationally esteemed reputation. Funding for public schools in Ann Arbor is no longer controlled locally, but at the state level. In essence, the state now dictates the quality of education students will get based upon funds they distribute. Of each tax dollar property owners in Ann Arbor pay to public K-12 education, only 60% is sent back to Ann Arbor from Lansing. The remaining 40% is distributed to other school districts in the state. It is not legal for local school districts to tax themselves to provide increases in school operating funds. We must find new sources of revenue for our schools, and private giving is one of just a few options. Communities can levy millages for capital expenses (like a new high school, repairs, technology), but not for operating expenses (staff, supplies, instructional support). (back to questions)
A. Ann Arbor needs an Educational Foundation to help sustain the quality of the Ann Arbor community. Nothing contributes more to the future of a community than the quality of the education the community provides its children. The Ann Arbor Public Schools Educational Foundation was established in 1990 to secure resources to support quality education through innovative programs, creative opportunities, and imaginative approaches to learning. The programs that the Educational Foundation has historically provided have enriched the curriculum, inspired students and staff, and expanded the community’s involvement in public education. Without funding from private sources to supplement the money distributed by the state, our Ann Arbor Public Schools are left with only an adequate education. The economic condition of the state, not Ann Arbor, is the driving factor in school funding. The state is doing the best it can with its resources. Now, more than ever, the Educational Foundation is poised to provide opportunities for exceptional learning that our district may not be able to offer due to fiscal constraints. (back to questions)
A. Funding for Michigan schools comes almost entirely through the state. There is virtually no money available to individual school districts from the federal government. (back to questions)
A. Real estate values in Ann Arbor no longer have a direct correlation to school funding in Ann Arbor. That was changed with Prop A – all funds raised by property taxes in the state go to Lansing where they are then redistributed. School funds returned to Ann Arbor from Lansing do not equal 100% of what was sent . Additionally, revenues are increasing on an average of less than 2% per year while district expenses are increasing at 6% per year. Some costs can and have been moderated, but others, such as energy, retirement benefits and insurance are beyond the district’s direct control. Finally, the formula for funding schools under Prop A doesn’t work in a struggling economy – exactly where the state of Michigan has been for the last several years. Statewide budget shortfalls have created hardships in nearly every school district in the state. (back to questions)
A. One of the goals of Proposal A was to reduce the revenue gap among Michigan’s wealthier and poorer school districts. While Ann Arbor and other communities that had larger than the average per pupil funding in 1994 might be unhappy with the impact, many districts are have enjoyed the benefits of increased per pupil funding. However, the chronic statewide budget problems are negatively impacting all districts. (back to questions)
A. While the Educational Foundation is a separate organization, our sole mission is to support all Ann Arbor Public School’s students achieve their highest potential by providing community support for innovative and excellent educational opportunities within the Ann Arbor Public Schools. We look to those who understand education best – the professional educators – for leadership. We look to our community to help the Educational Foundation develop and direct resources to meet our shared educational goals. (back to questions)
A. The Educational Foundation funds programs for the Ann Arbor Public Schools directly; we have control over how and on what programs Educational Foundation money is spent. (back to questions)
A. As of June 30, 2006, the total assets of the Educational Foundation are nearly $1 million. The Educational Foundation’s resources benefit from the expertise and investments of the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. In addition, the board has a finance committee to oversee banking and investment for the Educational Foundation. (back to questions)
A. The board of the Educational Foundation has not yet articulated a goal amount to contribute annually, but has said they would like to raise $5 million over the next five years. McCormick et. al, in Creating Foundations for American Schools, assert that $20 per student can have an impact, and an extra $20 can produce a change in education. Using that formula and a student count of 16,700 students, the Educational Foundation can produce a change in public school education for Ann Arbor students with a contribution of $700,000 annually. That figure, combined with movement towards increased endowments, indicates that $1.25 million should be raised annually. (back to questions)
A. Yes. The Educational Foundation operates on a balanced budget, has conservative investment strategies in place, maintains endowment funds with the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation and utilizes an independent auditor for annual audits. Copies of our financial statements and audit are open to the public and available to prospective donors upon request. (back to questions)
A. If you wish to designate your gift toward one of the stated objectives of the Educational Foundation, your wishes will absolutely be honored. If you do not indicate a preference, then your funds will be placed in the general funds and will be used in the area where it is most needed. We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about ways in which you can meet your charitable objectives within the Educational Foundation. From 1996 to 2006, the Educational Foundation disbursed more than $400,000 to energize existing programs, to fund innovative programs for students and staff. (back to questions)
A. Funds donated to endowments will be permanently invested with the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation using their investment strategies and protocols. (back to questions)
A. We believe that the Ann Arbor community has come to expect its students to be able to achieve at a national level in the areas of academics, music, art, athletics and all other areas that you can think of. In order for this standard to be maintained, a large group of community members, parents, grandparents, foundations, corporations, alumni and citizens of the Ann Arbor area will need to take part in this campaign. While the impact the Educational Foundation can provide to the overall budget of the Ann Arbor Public Schools is small, the impact to students in the classrooms can be great. (back to questions)
A. The economy in the State of Michigan has forced the AAPS to examine carefully every line item in the budget. The district is in the midst of a strategic planning process to determine best how to reduce the budget by $20 million over the next three years while maintaining quality education programs. All the fat that can be trimmed has. Now tough programmatic decisions need to be made, but through thoughtful deliberation and strategic planning process, the AAPS hope to position themselves as best as is possible.(back to questions)
A. Yes. The AAPSEF is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and we will mail the donor a receipt for any contribution made. (back to questions)
A. Yes. The Educational Foundation, in collaboration with community volunteers, PTO’s, alumni groups, and booster clubs, is actively seeking out alternative and additional sources of revenue for AAPS programs. In many instances, public schools cannot be the direct recipient of Foundation grants; grants must go through a Foundation. Volunteers are always needed to research and write grant proposals for funding. In addition, the AAPS are working on ways to increase revenues through additional funding sources (county wide millage, schools of choice for out of district students, attracting back students that have been in private or charter schools) and seeks to streamline programs and decrease expenses without sacrificing educational value. If you have recommendations for additional revenue sources, please contact us.
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A. The Educational Foundation cannot control district expenses in any way. What we can hope to do is to provide a forum for involving all representatives of the community in meaningful ways with the district in discussions of educational priorities, fiscal oversight and strategic planning. (back to questions) |
