Deasy Proposes Changes to Gift Policy

By Jorge Casuso

Feb. 18 -- The School Board on Thursday will review an amended version of Superintendent John Deasy’s controversial gift policy that skims less money from wealthier schools and relies more on voluntary giving.

But some of the plan’s most vocal critics contend it does not go nearly far enough in addressing concerns that the policy would hamper fundraising efforts.

Instead of requiring that 15 percent of all the funds raised by individual schools go into an “equity fund,” the amended policy establishes a sliding scale, with 15 percent of the first $100,000 going to the fund, which would disburse the money district wide.

The percentage earmarked for the fund would decrease by 2 percent for every additional $100,000 raised up to $800,000.

The district will also use the formula to contribute to the equity fund monies donated by the cities of Malibu and Santa Monica.

The amended policy also establishes a second fund for voluntary contributions “managed by a group of volunteers who will serve as fundraisers” and help raise community awareness.

“No formula is applied to any contribution to the voluntary component of the Equity Fund,” according to the amended policy. “In short, any amount given is made as a 100 percent contribution.”

In addition, the amended policy “will facilitate a set of 'sister-school' teams that will serve as partners in assisting with the goals of increasing fundraising” and helping establish financial support from the community and corporate partners.

Critics of Deasy’s proposal said that the superintendent’s continual insistence on a mandatory tax -- even one on a sliding scale -- would hurt the chances of making the voluntary contributions and sister-school component work.

“I just don’t think if he institutes the mandatory taxation that there will be a voluntary response to doing a sister school program or voluntary (fundraising),” said Sandy Thacker, co-president of the Webster Elementary School PTA. “Most people who oppose the policy have a philosophical problem” with it.

Thacker predicted that parents would welcome the voluntary aspects of the policy if they are instituted as alternatives to the taxation.

“These are ideas that have been raised many times and people would be willing to put their energy” into making them work, Thacker said.

Deasy, she said, has failed to sit down with parents and come up with a plan that is acceptable to all parties.

“There was no input,” Thacker said. “He drew this policy up by himself without consulting school leaders.”

The policy has spurred hours of often emotional testimony at school board meetings, with advocates saying it would level the playing field and opponents warning that it would discourage giving, violates PTA bylaws and is likely illegal

Related Stories

A Tale of Two Schools, January 27, 2004

Nuts and Bolts of Gift Policy Worry Art Advocates, January 22, 2004

Malibu Schools Leave Santa Monica’s Far Behind in Fundraising, January 12, 2004

Malibu Parents Face off over Gift Policy, December 10, 2003