PORT TOWNSEND — Despite passage of a four-year replacement property tax levy, more money is needed to provide essential classroom tools, said Port Townsend Education Foundation members Wednesday.
The levy, which was approved by 66.6 percent in the first count of ballots Tuesday, will collect $3.1 million its first year in 2012 and about 4 percent more each year to $3.4 million in 2015.
“There is still a significant gap between what the state provides for education and what the kids need,” said Lynn LeMaster, a founding member of the group that supports the Port Townsend School District.
“This gap has widened, and there are a lot of things that kids need that we can provide.”
The major fundraiser for the foundation, which operates on donations, will be Saturday at the Northwest Maritime Center, 431 Water St.
The art auction/fundraiser will be from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
LeMaster said the items offered for auction had to pass a jury selection process, and items include hand-crafted instruments, jewelry, furniture, painting and sculpture.
Tickets are $35.
The fundraiser is intended to have multiple benefits: to provide direct support for classroom teachers and students in the Port Townsend public schools and to give exposure and support to local artists within the context of a fun event.
This is the third year for the fundraiser, and LeMaster is hoping to raise $70,000 to be channelled into the foundation’s programs.
In its three years of existence, the foundation has contributed about $80,000 to the school district, LeMaster said.
The money is administered in grants. Individual school staffers apply for specific equipment or services, and the foundation’s board then decides which programs to support.
LeMaster said the foundation considered becoming a scholarship program like many other school foundations across the state but decided to adopt a strategy where students in the community would receive direct instructional help.
This direct approach has stimulated more community interest than a scholarship program would, according to LeMaster.
“People are aware of the foundation,” she said.
“There is a collective energy going around the community about the schools, and people are jumping on the bandwagon to offer support.”
Much of the foundation’s grants support technology, such as one that bought an iPad for Roger Mills’ science class at Blue Heron Middle School within a month of the tablets hitting the market.
A more substantial technology grant was awarded in the fall, when the foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to Port Townsend High School modern studies teacher Ben Low, enabling him to buy 20 netbooks.
This gives each student access to technology during class, and this connection improves learning, Low said.
“Having access to technology throughout the day without having to go to the computer lab allows us to incorporate it into the classroom where it stimulates critical thinking,” Low said.
LeMaster said the foundation will pay the whole tab for a useful piece of equipment but may respond more favorably if the grant applicant has come up with funding to take on part of the expense.
In either case, any instructor with a good idea need only ask.
“We want to fuel the imagination of teachers as to what they think will enhance education and help the kids succeed,” she said.
Tickets are available for advance purchase at www.pteducationfoundation.org or at the door.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
