FAQs

The DMSEF is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to provide resources to support and enhance educational programs and opportunities for the students in the Del Mar Union School District. The Foundation was founded to raise the necessary funds to provide Del Mar students with enrichment programs such as science, music, art, technology and physical education. The vision of the Foundation is that every student attending elementary school in the Del Mar Union School District will have the opportunity to receive a premier education. The Board of the Trustees of the Del Mar Union School District has designated the Foundation as the primary fundraising entity for the District.

Who runs the Foundation?

The Foundation is governed by a Board of Directors that is comprised of parent volunteers from each of the elementary schools in the Del Mar Union School District, as well as members of the community. The nominating committee of the Board of Directors identifies volunteers each spring to serve for 1 or 2-year terms. The Board is responsible for all business of the Foundation, including communications, finances, and budgets, and the Foundation’s annual financial statements are audited each year by a firm of certified public accountants. The Board meets at regularly scheduled, monthly meetings that are open to all members of the community.

How does the Foundation raise money?

The Foundation seeks contributions from parents and corporate sponsors, and also raises funds through various special events. Parents should already have received our annual appeal letter in their first day packets and the Foundation will sponsor and announce special events as they are organized.

What are the benefits to moving to a district-wide, fundraising model?

By restructuring to the district-wide model, the Del Mar Schools Education Foundation can consolidate fundraising at the district level and move to a more community-based fundraising effort. This will give the district a more consistent revenue stream in the future. In addition, district-wide funding will also provide more equity among the schools which is key since most children in the district’s eight schools will all pool into the same two middle schools and then onto the same two high schools. District-wide funding allows for flexibility in disbursement, which, while ensuring equity among the schools can also provide for individual sites to maintain programs that are unique to the site. Finally, district-wide fundraising will help relieve the site PTAs from having to fundraise for salaries and the PTA can return to fundraising for assemblies, equipment and scholarship.

The Board of Trustees voted to have district-wide funding begin April 16, 2009. Fundraising for the 2009/2010 school year will end June 15th.

If we raise enough money, will we continue to have the same ESC teachers as this year?

Unfortunately, we can only raise funds for Programs (i.e. science, art, music, technology, PE) and not specific people because the district’s contract with the Del Mar teachers’ union requires that teachers be returned to positions based on seniority. In addition, some ESC teachers with multi-subject credentials can go back into the classroom, if their ESC program is eliminated, while others with single-subject credentials cannot. Teachers are District employees, not School employees, so these rules will mean that some ESC teachers might be moved among the eight schools in our district.

Once we have reached the goal for 2009/2010 school year, will the budget crisis be over?

Unfortunately, no. The national, state and local budget problems have impacted the funds received by the district from all sources. The district continues to look at all areas of the budget for ways to conserve expenses while maintaining the excellent education we provide to our students. The reality is that, programs like ESC, provide educational opportunities above and beyond State requirements and will continue to rely on outside funding for their existence.

Do you see any impact of potential school closures on fundraising?

The school board has established a 7/11 committee to review five of the district sites to determine if school closure is an option to sustain a longer term solution to some of the budget issues. The number of students in the district doesn’t change if a school is closed, therefore the need for outside funding continues. By having a general fund, DMSEF is able to disburse funds for the districts’ needs equitably to help ensure that all children are able to receive the benefits of ESC regardless of which school they attend.

Why should I donate money to public schools? Isn't that why I pay taxes?

While it is true that property taxes are the primary revenue source for the Del Mar Union School District, these revenues are insufficient to provide the various enrichment programs that make our elementary schools among the best in the state and the nation. Since the passage of Proposition 13 approximately 30 years ago, California property taxes have been capped at 1%, while other state’s property taxes are 3% or more. This creates a revenue gap that can only be closed with your support.

What if I have more questions or need more information?

Call or email us! The Foundation offices are located at Sycamore Ridge Elementary School, and you can call us at 858-523-6199, or email us at delmarkids@gmail.com. Or, if you prefer, feel free to contact your school’s Foundation representative, or the current Foundation president, Matt Zevin (parent at Ashley Falls), at mzevin@aol.com.