I am writing to you as a concerned parent of the Soquel Union Elementary School District and also as the co-chair of the non profit that supports many of the wonderful programs at Main Street Elementary.
Attached to this email are a number of officers of the non profit organizations at the other elementary schools including Soquel Elementary and Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary.
The reason for this letter is because it has come to our attention that the Superintendent, Mr. Henry Castanaida intends to instate some very drastic changes as they relate to the SUESD Policy and Administrative Regulation 1230 - School Connected Organizations.
During the District meeting on November 19th, the board reviewed and adopted a complete rewrite of the Policy #1230. Where the Policy was mostly boilerplate, what the Superintendent, Mr. Henry Castanaida said during the 35 minute discussion was very alarming and it brought out many upset parents to the following meeting on December 3rd. There was a head count of well over 100 parents, teachers and guests.
During the November 19th meeting, it was made clear that the volunteer parents of the non profits were being accused of wrongdoing, and of course we all categorically have denied the allegations that were made.
We have been accused of picking and choosing which students benefit from the funds raised through the non profits. The proposed remedy is to mandate that he and the school board authorize all fundraising activities and determine where the money goes.
He said the following,
“We are going to really designate why parents are giving and what the target is.”
I could go on and on, but I won't.
In a nutshell though, the parents at each of the schools work extremely hard to make up deficits were the State has fallen short. All three of our non profits provide funding for wonderful enrichment programs for all of the students.
I'm not asking you to do anything, but I thought you should know because it has deeply affected the giving community of our school district and we all are deeply offended at being attacked for our charitable giving of our precious time, energy and money.
Chris Hadland
Co-Chair
Friends of Main Street
Good evening Supervisor Leopold.
My name is Forrest Murray. I am one of those concerned parents that Chris mentions in his email below. I am also the President of the Home and School Club for Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary, as well as the Chair of the School Site Council for that school.
I would like to add a few things to Chris' email if I might. As I am sure you know, running non-profits that depend on volunteers is extremely difficult. The non-profit school connected organizations in the Soquel school district are no exception.
The parents that volunteer with these organizations do so because we wish to enrich the lives of not only our own children, but all the children in the community. Our programs are well thought out, and available (and accessible) to all children who attend our associated schools.
My fear is that if Mr. Castanaida (or anyone other than the volunteers themselves) gains control over how we fundraise, and where we spend that money, what little air that is in the sails of all of those volunteers will be depleted.
It would be very difficult to expect for parents to spend their time and their money (which these days people have very little extra of either to give) if they do not feel like they have a fair say in where to apply that end result. I have already heard back from some parents that they will not participate in these efforts if the district ends up taking a more controlling role.
It would be incredibly sad to see these organizations wither away. Ultimately it's the children who will suffer should the money stop coming in for the programs such as music and arts, which are funded through us today.
Chris makes some very good points in his email below. I just wanted to add to his perspective. Keeping enthusiasm amongst a volunteer base is a very difficult thing to do. When they are told that they are doing things unfairly, or that they will lose the ultimate say in how things are handled within the organization it becomes even more difficult.
Thank you for your time.
Forrest Murray
My name is Forrest Murray. I am one of those concerned parents that Chris mentions in his email below. I am also the President of the Home and School Club for Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary, as well as the Chair of the School Site Council for that school.
I would like to add a few things to Chris' email if I might. As I am sure you know, running non-profits that depend on volunteers is extremely difficult. The non-profit school connected organizations in the Soquel school district are no exception.
The parents that volunteer with these organizations do so because we wish to enrich the lives of not only our own children, but all the children in the community. Our programs are well thought out, and available (and accessible) to all children who attend our associated schools.
My fear is that if Mr. Castanaida (or anyone other than the volunteers themselves) gains control over how we fundraise, and where we spend that money, what little air that is in the sails of all of those volunteers will be depleted.
It would be very difficult to expect for parents to spend their time and their money (which these days people have very little extra of either to give) if they do not feel like they have a fair say in where to apply that end result. I have already heard back from some parents that they will not participate in these efforts if the district ends up taking a more controlling role.
It would be incredibly sad to see these organizations wither away. Ultimately it's the children who will suffer should the money stop coming in for the programs such as music and arts, which are funded through us today.
Chris makes some very good points in his email below. I just wanted to add to his perspective. Keeping enthusiasm amongst a volunteer base is a very difficult thing to do. When they are told that they are doing things unfairly, or that they will lose the ultimate say in how things are handled within the organization it becomes even more difficult.
Thank you for your time.
Forrest Murray
Hi Supervisor Leopold,
My name is Wendy Young, and I am the president of the Home & School Club for Soquel Elementary School. I share the concerns that have been put forward by Chris and Forrest.
As with the other schools, we rely heavily on parent volunteers to fundraise, and to volunteer for the events put on by the Home & School Club. Parents rally behind the clubs and events based on the fact that we are there to build and support the community at each school, for each child. In addition, monies raised go to support programs no longer funded at our school sites-music, art, life lab, etc. In at least one year we also sponsored the library for our site. The amazing part of the Home & School Clubs are that parents are rallying to support the entire community of the school. We are working hard to make each of these schools an even greater place to come to each day.
The comments made by Mr. Castanaida on November 19th were grossly incorrect, and accused the clubs of wrongdoings that simply are not true. The spending within our clubs is always equitable. We listen to the input of the families, teachers, and principals at each site, and use raised funds to do our best to make each school a better place for all involved.
Further control taken by the District to dictate how we not only use, but also raise, our funds deflates the enthusiasm of our volunteers. It takes away the unique character of each school, and makes parents feel useless in the process of shaping our schools. In a time when people are stretched thin, we had over 100 parents show up concerned for the future of our clubs. There is a lot of heart in the community of our schools that we just can't lose.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Wendy
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