By MARGIE DOYLE

Editor

The community was introduced to The Education Initiative, a school funding collaboration between the Orcas Island Community Foundation (OICF) and the Orcas Island Education Foundation (OIEF), at a joint ceremony on Feb. 5 at the Outlook Inn in Eastsound.

OIEF President and Orcas Island School District Board President Janet Brownell quoted from the Washington State Constitution, saying “‘The paramount duty of the state is to make ample provision for education’… but with the state in the bottom 10 percent for school funding nationwide… that’s not happening.”

Brownell reminded the group that, despite insufficient state funding, Orcas Island Middle School earned the “School of Distinction Award,” performing in the State’s top five percent of schools.

Last spring, OIEF led a community campaign to make up nearly $350,000 in the school’s projected budget shortfall.

During the Feb. 5 meeting, Brownell held up a chart created by Brook Meinhardt, an Orcas Elementary parent, showing the programs “saved” by community donations last year and a “check” for $240,000, the amount projected to meet that need this coming year, 2008-2009.

OICF will be responsible for maintaining the community education fund, taking over the work begun last year by OIEF board member Michelle Reed, OISD Superintendent Glenn Harris and OISD Business Manager Ben Thomas, tracking contributions to the OISD and making sure “donor dollars are going to the place where they’re intended to go,” said Reed.

The four year plan will function with OICF “holding” the money, and overseeing its release, Brownell said. “Now, we’re just starting the budgeting process [for the 2008-2009 year], looking at revenues and staffing. “By law, on May 15, the school district has to send out RIF [Reduction in Force] notices.” Between now and May 15, the collaborative Education Initiative will work to get enough money committed for four years, so that the difference between state funding and school programming expenses is met by community donations.

The Education Initiative began with a challenge from Bob Henigson (who, along with his wife Phyllis, was named Philanthropist of the Year at the OICF annual meeting in September), to be more proactive in providing long-term reliable community funding for the Orcas Island School District (OISD), with OICF to be the Initiative’s fund supervisor

Tom Welch, President of OICF, relates getting a phone call from Henigson “in which he laid out a vision so succinct and correct,” that the Community Foundation was inspired to follow through.

Henigson spoke to the Education Initiative gathering on Feb. 5, saying, “It is of critical importance to work out a long-term financial backing for the school district, and it is quite obvious that, not withstanding the Washington constitution, in the last 40 years nothing has been provided. To deliver what the words promise comes down to local communities undertaking to provide the funds necessary to provide the educational opportunities that every child in Washington – and everywhere – ought to enjoy.”

Henigson described his proposal as “a four year program when commitments would be made and the public school would not be bound to issue termination notices because they have individual commitments to ‘pony up’ for four years.

“It is to the great credit of OICF that that board has stepped up to take over the supervisory function which is of critical importance. That the school delivers the results that Brownell referred to is absolutely magnificent. There is no reason why we can’t be the best.

“My accolades to OICF. I hope it succeeds,” Henigson concluded.

Welch reminded the group that education has always been of paramount importance to Orcas Islanders, with subscription schools predating public schools. “People then were so tied to the idea of what education could do for the community, and we all believe that. This is something we’re all doing together for the benefit of the community that will continue on for many years to come.”

OICF founding member and former board member Bob Lundeen asked how much “hard money” is needed between now and May 10. With $50,000 currently on OIEF’s books, Brownell responded that $150,000 is the needed amount. She added that the funds can be in checks or in a promissory letter.

“We, as a community, can make education of the community our paramount responsibility,” Brownell said, echoing the words of the State Constitution.