By Lookout Staff

July 13, 2010 -- Six positions in the cash-strapped School District will be filled this year thanks to an emergency fundraising blitz by the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation that has raised a total of $565,649.

Called “Save Our Schools,” the local effort is helping to restore core education programs lost after the District recently cut more than $7 million from its budget due to State funding cuts.

The new funds will restore three first grade teachers, one counselor or grade 6-12 teacher, one Elementary Library coordinator and one music teacher

“The school funding crisis has brought together residents from all walks of life, many of whom don’t have kids in local schools," said Linda Gross, the Education Foundation's executive director. "People understand that quality public education is not only the key to our children’s future, but to the future of our community as well.

“We have seen a remarkable grassroots effort by this community with the energy of more than 100 volunteers working tirelessly to raise these funds,” Gross said. “We are very proud of all of their work."

Foundation officials are pushing for "additional stable public funding," which they say is critical to help make up for the $30 million in State budget cuts over the last three years, with more cuts on the way.

The City Council on Tuesday is expected to place a half-cent sales tax measure on the November 2 ballot that could send half of the $13 million it would generate to the School District.

In addition, District officials are considering returning to the polls in November after a parcel tax measure that would have generated some $5.7 million for the District failed to garner the two-thirds support needed for passage in May.

Save Our Schools officials said they will continue fundraising efforts through August 15th to "help provide full funding for first grade class size reductions, lower secondary school class sizes, and to restore music, library and counseling programs for the next school year."

Upcoming fundraising events include concerts, movie screenings, a Leadership recognition event, and a community-wide Save Our Schools Beach Party to thank our community and volunteers, group officials said.

"The school funding crisis has brought together residents from all walks of life, many of whom don't have kids in local schools,"
    Linda Gross