Kiddo! asked and Mill Valley families answered.
A record-breaking number of district families contributed to Kiddo! before the end of 2012, helping the fundraising organization meet a challenge to reach a 75 percent participation rate and receive $75,000 for Mill Valley schools.
The challenge was put forth by a group of district families. Kiddo! surpassed the goal with 78 percent, or 1,718 families in the district making a donation.
The local foundation has contributed more than $20 million since 1982 to supplement the Mill Valley School District budget. In recent years the district has come to depend more and more on the organization, which has stepped up its fundraiser efforts in light of dwindling property tax revenues, rising costs associated with a booming enrollment, and looming budget deficit. It currently funds a wealth of programs, which grew to include physical education this year.
On Nov. 20 Kiddo! was 431 families shy of meeting the goal, and Superintendent Paul Johnson said in a letter to the district encouraging more people to participate. The suggested donation to Kiddo! was $1200 per student, but the organization made it clear that any amount was appreciated, and would count toward receiving the bonus.
“It really allowed people to know that whatever they could give made a difference,” said Business Programs Manager Amy Coleman. It came down to the wire, but Mill Valley families came through. Donations were also distributed very evenly across all the schools, she said.
A message posted on the Kiddo! website says not only did the district rate exceed 75 percent, but the donation rate at every district school exceeded 75 percent as well. And the $75,000 bonus will be well spent.
“Thanks to our amazing parent community, Kiddo! said, “all of our arts, technology and PE programs, along with our classroom and library aides will be fully funded through the end of the school year!”
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