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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an Education Foundation?
- An Education Foundation is an organization
comprised of concerned citizens who recognize that as education has
become more important and more complex, there is a need to develop a
means to raise funds for innovative and effective programs that improve
student achievement and foster lifelong learning.
- How long have Education Foundations been around?
- Since 1978 over 3,000 communities in the United States have
established foundations with similar missions as the SEF. As of July
2009, there are 77 foundations in Connecticut with 20 more in the
planning stages.
- Why an Education Foundation in Southington? Don't we have good
schools?
- The Southington public schools are excellent. However, there is
always a need to expand educational opportunity and meet the needs of
our children beyond the core program that is provided by the public
schools.
- What will the Foundation do?
- The Southington Education Foundation, SEF, is committed to funding
programs or projects that go beyond the central mission of the public
schools. We recognize that it is the obligation of the Board of
Education and the town to provide a quality educational opportunity for
all students. We will not fund or supplant any program that is
rightfully the town's responsibility. We will challenge teachers,
principals and the community to think of new and innovate initiatives
that will enhance the program and curriculum of the Southington Public
Schools.
- How does the Southington Education Foundation operate?
- The SEF is comprised of an at-large Board of
Directors. Directors work on committees, organize events and are
indispensable to the success of the SEF. There is an
Executive Board elected by the Board at-large each year. The
Executive Board oversees the ordinary operations of the SEF. All members
of the SEF are unpaid volunteers.
- What is the relationship between the SEF and the Southington Board
of Education?
- The SEF is a non-political entity independent of the BOE. The SEF
will support programs that enhance the opportunities for our children,
but will not fund any program that is a part of the expected services
and programs provided by the BOE and the town.
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- The Foundation is not an alternative source of funding for the
school system.
- Will the Foundation affect the school budget or my taxes?
- No. Because we will not supplant those programs that are the
responsibility of the Board of Education and the town, your taxes will
not be affected. All monies raised and spent by the SEF will be
donations from the public at large.
- How can the Town of Southington and the community at large benefit
from the SEF? I have no children. The schools do not affect me.
- We all have a stake in ensuring the best education for our children.
The quality of a school system is an integral part of any community's
success. The school system affects property values, the attractiveness
of the town for new business and industry and the general quality of
life. Perhaps Dr. Dave Monti, former Southington BOE member and a member
of the SEF, said it best: "The only real legacy a town can give its
children is their education." We all benefit from improved schools.
- How can teachers or schools receive a grant for a program they want
to initiate?
- Teachers or principals submit a Grant
Application form to the
Superintendent. The Superintendent then reviews it for compatibility
with the overarching goals of the school district. If it does comply
with those goals, it would be forwarded to the Grant Committee of the SEF.
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- That committee would then review the proposal to ensure that it
furthers the mission of the SEF. Then the proposal would be reviewed in
the context of all other proposals. Finally, if approved, the teacher or
school would receive the funds.
- How would that program funded by the SEF be evaluated?
- Within two weeks of the completion of the program, the teacher or
school would submit a Project Evaluation form. This form, while
relatively simple, would provide data to validate the success of the
program. If a program did not work the way it was intended, that would
also be included. Sometimes we learn more from the way things don’t work
than from when they do.
- How does one contribute to the SEF, either with time or money?
- The SEF website has both a donation link and instructions for
getting involved with the organization. You can also contact any SEF
board member for information. The SEF is a
non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are tax-deductible.
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