Schools Foundation and Boosters Urge Community to Support Co-Curricular Programs, Call for Volunteers

With the recent controversy surrounding school funding, the New Haven Schools Foundation and New Haven Boosters Association have issued a statement to demystify their roles in contributing to local schools’ co-curricular programs while calling on the community for support.

“We would like to be absolutely transparent about the role the New Haven Schools Foundation and the New Haven Boosters play in providing a well-rounded education to our students,” read a statement posted Monday on the Foundation’s Facebook page.

Both the Foundation and Boosters are holding by raising money to pay for coach and instructor stipends.

“In the grand scheme of things, we aren’t talking about a huge sum of money,” the statement read.

According to the Foundation, the co-curricular budget will be $100,000 short for the 2012-13 school year, just as it was last year. In previous years, the budget was $300,000 but was cut due to the financial shortfall from the state.

This year, the Boosters and Foundation hope to raise $125,000, according to the Boosters.

Through a collaborative effort last year, both organizations were able to raise a combined $100,000 for the programs. The Boosters raised $50,000 via its 10-10-10 campaign and Race to Save Student Activities, which was then matched by the Foundation. The money went toward the stipends for junior varsity coaches, assistant directors and advisers for smaller programs, which would have been cut otherwise, according to the Foundation.

Stipends are given to coaches and instructors who also work outside of normal school hours. How much they receive is based on a per-student model, the Foundation said.

“While it’s paid to the coaches/directors as a stipend for their time spent mentoring their students, many of them often turn around and use that money to further support their program by buying supplies, equipment, paying tournament fees, etc.,” read the Foundation statement. “However you look at it, the stipend is a paltry sum compared to the countless hours these dedicated teachers expend on behalf of their students; most do it for the love of their program and the kids who benefit from these great programs.”

Due to he need for such programs and activities, the Foundation and Boosters are continuing to raise funds to directly contribute to co-curricular stipends via their “Save Co-Curriculars” campaign.

While some community members are donating directly to the activities that they want to support, the Foundation and the Boosters are asking New Haven residents to contribute to their campaign so that all programs will be able to benefit.

“Many of the larger activities (such as football, band, forensics) have significant fundraising operations of their own, but the smaller groups depend on the stipends to survive. Our kids deserve the opportunity to find the activities that appeal to them, big or small,” the Foundation’s statement read.

Both organizations are also calling on the community to help volunteer for the fundraising campaign.

“It’s a tough time to be asking people for money,” the Foundation said. “Resources are stretched thin everywhere. If you’re unable to donate financially, we understand, but please don’t count yourself out.”

For those interested in getting involved, the organizations will hold a volunteer meeting on Tuesday, July 10 at 7 p.m. at the Education Services Center on 32400 Alvarado-Niles Rd.

To contribute to the Save Co-Curriculars campaign, community members can make a tax deductible donation via the Foundation's website at www.nhsfoundation.com or mail a donation to NHBA, c/o New Haven Schools Foundation, 33377 Western Ave., Union City, CA  94587.

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