D46 Foundation Myths Dispelled

In our conversations with district parents and members of the community, we have been asked excellent questions that give us insight into how easily misunderstood a school district Foundation could potentially become.

Since most of us are new at this, we are still learning how to build a dynamic organization that serves the students and teachers in our school district.  We do believe that effective communication will enable us to share the central mission and function of our organization.  With that in mind, we’d like to take the opportunity to respond to some of the questions you might have, but haven’t yet had the chance to ask:

Myth #1: The Education Foundation’s Board of Directors is run by the CCSD 46 School Board.

Reality: The D46 Education Foundation is a 510(c)3 not-for-profit organization governed by its own by-laws and Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors is elected in December of each year by the Foundation’s membership. Only the Foundation’s Board of Directors can vote on how funds are raised and how they are spent.

Like most other education foundations, our by-laws ensure our independence by limiting the involvement of currently serving school board members, district administrators and elected union officials. These individuals are welcome as members to the Foundation. They can volunteer time, share their expertise and insight, and express opinions, but they cannot vote to elect the Board of Directors, nor can they serve on the Board of Directors.

Myth #2: The Foundation raises funds and turns those funds directly over to the school district to determine how they are spent.

Reality:  Funds would only be disbursed to the school district for specific and targeted reimbursement purposes. Since we consider a collaborative working relationship with school district leadership and staff to be highly valuable and in the best interest of students, these reimbursement scenarios may be necessary to complete mutually agreed upon projects. 

The Foundation’s mission and goals will be optimized if the school district and Foundation are engaged in reciprocal idea sharing and collaborative endeavors.  However, the school district or school board would never be given sole discretion over the use of Foundation funds. Decisions as to exactly how our funds are spent are made solely by the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

We must ensure that Foundation expenditures advance the mission our donors support when committing funds to our organization. We promise our donors that their funds will be used to supplement and enhance the educational experience offered to students in D46 and we are committed to keeping that promise.

Myth #3: The Foundation’s sole purpose is to sponsor Destination ImagiNation®.

Reality: While we are incredibly proud to sponsor such an innovative program, this is just the tip of the iceberg. We hope to sponsor other programs in the future and have also set a goal to begin offering classroom mini-grants sometime in 2012.

Teachers will be invited to submit applications for grant funds that will allow them to make some of their professional dreams a reality. Teachers often learn of unique programs and resources they could offer their students if only there were enough money in the budget. At a time when the promised funds from the state aren’t coming in, that extra money may not easily be found in the school district’s budget. We are here to make sure that the education offered to students in D46 continues to be world class regardless of economic times.

Myth #4: I’m not a grant writer and I’m not comfortable approaching corporations about sponsorships so there isn’t a place for me within the Foundation.

Reality: Everyone who wants to contribute a little time to our common cause can find their niche within the Foundation. From secretary or treasurer, to newsletter editor, to volunteers to work at events we host, there is something for everyone! Join our e-mail list if you’d like to be informed when opportunities to help arise. Better yet, join the Foundation as a general member and attend our Meetings of the Whole!

We hope this clarifies our role in the community as well as our relationship with the district. Please consider joining us for our next Meeting of the Whole on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in the media center at Grayslake Middle School. New members are always welcome! 

If you would like to join our e-mail list to receive our quarterly newsletter, meeting notices, and other occasional updates, please send a message to d46foundation@gmail.com with “subscribe” in the subject line. You can also follow us on Facebook as “CCSD 46 Education Foundation”.