2017 – 2018 Annual Report Great Schools Are Built on Strong Foundations Music in Elementary Schools Technology Staff & Equipment Field Trips Music, Language & Other Middle School Electives Library & Literacy Programs Counselors in All Schools Smaller Class Size in Grades K–3 Innovation What Is SCEF? The San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) is a nonprofit fundraising organization that helps the San Carlos School District provide a well-rounded public education for all students. We work in partnership with parents and the community to support core and innovative programs vital to an exceptional education. Your Donation to SCEF Funds: Smaller Class Size in Library & Literacy Music, Language & Other Counselors Grades K–3 Programs Middle School Electives in All Schools Music in Field Trips Technology Staff Innovation Elementary Schools & Equipment Why Support SCEF? The San Carlos community is committed to equity among all of our public schools. Since 1982, the parent-led San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) has worked to raise funds to ensure essential school programs are maintained for all of our students. Unlike other states where localities decide how much to allocate to education, in California per-pupil funding is determined at the state level. Unfortunately, these funds are not sufficient to ensure a well-balanced, quality education for our students. In the late 1970s, Proposition 13 and various legal rulings limited a community’s ability to tax its residents to pay for schools. Our property taxes, as high as they are, no longer stay in San Carlos. California funding for education has dropped from the top 5 in the nation to 32 in 2016–17. Funding from the state provides only bare-bones education for our children. For 36 years, San Carlos parents, businesses, and community members have stepped forward to help fill this gap. In 2017–18, because of this generosity, the Foundation donated more than $2.4 million to our schools. This represents approximately 6% of the District’s annual budget to provide support for essential programs. Your donation makes a difference for every child, every day in every classroom. 2 Message from Our Superintendent The San Carlos School District (SCSD) has made significant progress and experienced changes over the past several years and the San Carlos Education Foundation (SCEF) has been integral and constant in the implementation of a communi- Michelle Harmeier ty-based vision for learning for our students. We are realizing the vision of the strategic plan and seeing the results firsthand in Superintendent, our schools. With the significant financial contributions of SCEF, San Carlos School District we are able to provide a world-class education for students during their San Carlos Decade from transitional kindergarten through eighth grade. As the new Superintendent, I am impressed and grateful for the ways SCEF impacts our students’ educational experience. because of the structure of school funding through the State of At our elementary schools, teachers enjoy smaller class sizes California. But generous SCEF support made by parents, com- where they can connect and personalize learning for their munity members, and business partners will continue to provide students. Because of the equity-based funding approach the robust educational program all our students deserve. from SCEF, every elementary school has a library technician, a literacy teacher, a counselor, music, and Second Step social Thank you for your continued support of the San Carlos emotional learning and curriculum. SCEF also funds enriching Education Foundation and the San Carlos School District. educational field trips for all of our elementary students. Thanks to the partnership between SCEF and Sequoia Sincerely, Healthcare District, all students are provided support from school counselors and a coordinated wellness program. Thanks to the support of SCEF, our Upper Elementary students will have access to Maker Space environments, Michelle Harmeier, Ed.D. quality health and wellness/PE instruction, music electives, Superintendent, San Carlos School District expanded library resources, and 1:1 computer/student ratio for use during the day. Most fourth- and fifth-grade students in California do not have access to such an enriching, balanced educational program. Our middle schools now offer 1:1 computer/student ratio and a WIFI network for students; STEM instruction, Design, World Languages, and Arts courses, as well as continued growth of our first-class music program, including orchestra, band, jazz band, and choir. This is a direct result of the contributions made by SCEF. The San Carlos School District is able to provide a balanced and enriching education for our students due to the significant financial contribution made by our community through SCEF. San Carlos has one of the lowest-funded school districts in the San Francisco Bay Area ~ Our 2018–2019 Ask ~ Our 2018–2019 Goal $1,200 PER STUDENT $2,500,000 3 Support for Our Schools Your contribution to the San Carlos Education Foundation provides vital funding that helps our schools provide a well-rounded education for every student. Funds raised in 2017–18 will be used to support these programs in the 2018–19 school year. Source: San Carlos School District and San Carlos Charter Learning Center Total Grant to SCSD and SCCLC $ 2,444,400 Technology: Computers, Devices, Infrastructure, PE, Spanish, Professional Development & Numeracy at CLC $ 175,200 Applicates & Tech Associates $ 459,950 Librarians & Literacy Specialists $ 187,669 School Counselors $ 455,430 Music for Minors $ 117,315 Smaller Class Sizes $ 344,940 Fund-A-Need: Makerspaces, Outdoor Learning, Middle School Electives & Seminars $ 322,541 Instruments & Technology $ 82,090 Principal School Site Funds $ 226,265 Field Trips, Milestones $ 73,000 Financial Performance Every year, the San Carlos Education Foundation grants funds to the San Carlos School District and Charter Learning Center equivalent to what we raise, plus any endowment distributions, minus projected expenses. In FY 2017–18, $59,885 was distributed from the SCEF Endowment as part of the annual grant to fund programs. Since 2008, more than $900,000 has been distributed to our schools from the endowment fund. Our audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2017 are available on our website–www.scefkids.org. Fiscal Year 2017–18 numbers are presented for informational purposes. Our Foundation manages our operations using a net proceeds model, in which we view revenues net of direct expenses. As such, costs for our annual auction gala and other events are deducted from the associated revenues. Therefore, revenues and costs under US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles will differ from those presented herein. Our most recent audited financial statements are posted on our website at www.scefkids.org. SUPPORT & REVENUE 2017–18 Source: San Carlos Education Foundation ANNUAL FUND DONATIONS Program Expenses Individual Donations $ 1,483,628 Grant to SCSD for use in 2017–18 $ 2,230,334 Employer Matching Donations $ 483,254 Grant to SCCLC for use in 2017–18 $ 235,461 Restricted Grants $ 190,000 Total Program Expenses $ 2,465,795 TOTAL ANNUAL CAMPAIGN $ 2,156,882 Fundraising & Community Events Operating Expenses (including Business Sponsorships) $ 527,076 Administrative $ 161,895 Endowment Donations $ 114,000 Fundraising $ 131,043 TOTAL SUPPORT & REVENUE $ 2,797,959 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES $ 292,938 TOTAL EXPENSES $ 2,758,733 Funding for the San Carlos SCEF Source of Funds School District for 2017–18 State and Federal Sources 81% Individuals 52% Other Local 6% Employer Match 17% Parcel Tax 6% Events (excluding SCEF Grant 6% Business Sponsorships) 15% School PTAs Combined 1% Grants 7% Sponsorships, Business & Nonprofit Donations 5% Endowment Gifts 4% 4 Great Schools Are Built on Strong Foundations Our community’s unwavering support of the San Carlos Education Foundation for the past 36 years has cemented an enduring legacy of strong public schools in San Carlos. Amid numerous changes in the San Carlos School District during 2017–2018, our donors rose to the challenge and helped us reach our goal of raising $2.5 million for our students and Alana Corso teachers. Thank you! SCEF President Our annual report celebrates and honors the countless hours and generous contributions our community donates to support our vital mission and goal. Through our supporters’ generous investment of time, talent, and financial commit- ment, we can continue to work in partnership with the San SCEF funding enriches your child. It can’t be stressed Carlos School District and the San Carlos Charter Learning enough that the funds YOU helped us raise enrich children’s Center to help provide many programs and educator positions lives every day, in every school, in every classroom all year that would not be possible with State of California funding long—and beyond. We are grateful for your support and alone. A day without SCEF would mean: partnership in helping ensure that our students continue to • Fewer library hours to help our aspiring readers find that receive a high-quality public education. Read more about perfect book and uncover a world of curiosity, imagination, what your contributions fund in the following pages. and discovery. We would like to acknowledge each of our Board members, • Reduced Tech Associates’ hours to assist teachers and volunteers, and staff for their tireless energy and dedication share imperative 21st-century technological skills. to further the