Dear Parent or Guardian in the Coquille School District,

Hello! My name is Cammie Owens and I am the parent of a 4th grader and a 5th grader at Coquille Valley School. As I have been involved in my students' classrooms and schools over the last few years, the effects of budget cuts have become more and more apparent. Whether it is the inability to purchase updated textbooks, fund electives and athletics, replace worn out buses or fund the last ten days of school this year (yes, if you had not already heard, our school year will be 10 days shorter this year due to budget cuts), the reduced funding from the state and federal levels is having its noticeable effect on our kids and schools. Let me say that for the most part, our teachers and staff are doing all that they can do to minimize the effects of these cuts. But, their resourcefulness and creativity can only be stretched so far.

You and I can become part of the solution to this growing problem. The simple truth of the matter is that we have to stop looking to our government for solutions. I am writing this letter to introduce you to the Coquille Education Foundation. The Coquille Education Foundation has been established to be an independent, non-profit corporation (non-profit status currently pending) in support of the programs and activities of the Coquille School District, its schools, teachers and students. The mission of the foundation is to develop partnerships with the Coquille community, alumni, school personnel and local businesses in order to seek to become a force in supporting education in the Coquille School District. As a non-profit, the foundation will be qualified to participate in numerous state, federal and private grant programs. Simply put, the foundation is seeking to coordinate our existing efforts to support our schools and introduce new connections to enhance these efforts.

So, where do you and I come in? The first thing we can do is become informed. The infrastructure of the foundation is already up and running. If you have internet access, there is a wonderful web site that will tell you most of what you would want to know about the foundation. It is located at www.coquilleef.com If you do not have internet access, the next best thing would be to contact Terry Schwerdtfeger at 396-3333. Terry is the chairman of the board of the Coquille Education Foundation and can offer you verbal and written information about the foundation.

The second thing you can do is consider how you might become involved. Under the umbrella of the foundation are opportunities ranging from board member to classroom volunteer to building maintenance ~ the list is endless. If you have a head for business or have a knack for grant writing, there is a place for you on the CEF marketing committee. If you love to paint, there are buildings and classrooms in dire need of a new coat. If you can lick an envelope, there are envelopes to be licked. The opportunities abound. The only question is, are you willing to invest your time and resources back into our schools and our children?

We are in a new era of public schooling. The days of bottomless government funding are over. The Coquille Education Foundation has the potential to coordinate and maximize our efforts to support our schools, teachers and students. I encourage you to get more information and consider where you and your family might be able to join the effort.

Sincerely,

Cammie Owens

396-6012