Class-size fundraising tops $20,000

Andrew Edwards

A group of Huntington Beach parents working to secure community

donations to maintain small class sizes has raised more than $20,000.

Meeting at the Huntington Beach City School District offices last

week, the parents’ group, Community for Class Size Reduction, updated

about 25 visitors on the results of the group’s efforts, which

include efforts to enlist the aid of local businesses.

“Right now we’re right at $20,000, we crested the $20,000 mark,”

said Joe Churilla, the committee member who watches over the group’s

finances.

Since the meeting, the group has added about $3,000 to its

coffers. To maintain the 20-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio in the

first and second grades, the group will need to raise $205,000. To

restore a low class-size ratio for third-graders -- the program was

cut at that grade after this year’s state budget cuts -- the group

will need $455,000. To restore the size reduction to kindergarten

through third grade, the group would need to raise about $200 for

every child.

The group needs to raise the money by mid-April to ensure the

district has enough notice to be able to retain its teachers. If the

goal is not met, the group, which is holding the funds through the

Huntington Beach Education Foundation, will roll over the money and

try again next year, officials said.

At this point, parents on the committee say that community-based

fundraising for reduced-class sizes will be an annual issue.

“Unfortunately, this is just year one,” Churilla said.

Though it is not yet certain the district will decide to cut funds

used to pay for small classes, parents said district officials have

warned them to expect bad news.

“When we met with the board, it’s very clear we’re looking at

deeper cuts next year,” said committee member and fundraising leader

Ada Porter

In addition to the sheer dollar figures the committee needs to

raise, the committee faces the challenge of convincing parents to

open their wallets to make a donation for a program that has been

previously paid for with tax dollars.

“People aren’t used to paying for public education,” said Cathi

Livingston, who chairs the group’s steering committee.

The committee’s efforts are one fundraiser among many this year

that are efforts to bring parents’ dollars into the schools.

Gina Gleason, a parent at the meeting whose son is enrolled in the

first grade at Smith Elementary School, said the school has already

been fundraising to pay for supplies.

“It’s kind of tough right now, it’s a tough year in the schools,”

she said.

The committee also is looking to businesses for help. In her

presentation to district parents, Porter said the company she works

for, Ameristar Capital Mortgage, agreed to donate $500.

Memorial Pediatrics has given $1,000.

The committee is encouraging district parents to look into

corporate programs where their employers would provide matching funds

to donations made to preserve reduced-class sizes. The group is also

hoping to secure sponsorships from local businesses.

“They’re very willing if you let them know it’s for the children,”

Porter said.

Local businesses that give money to the committee will be given a

sign to display in their window showing they have given money.

Livingston said she hoped a spirit of “friendly competition” would

develop with Huntington Beach business owners wanting to make sure

their storefront has one of the committee’s sign.

Sponsorships could be a big help for parents who are more prepared

to give their time, rather than their money, to the effort.

“We have a lot of high volunteerism, a lot of stay-at-home

parents, we’d like to see a lot of business sponsorships so we don’t

have to take a hit on our wallets,” said Cari Swan, president of the

Moffett Elementary School PTA.