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Why are Your Donations Needed for Public Schools?

SCEF Funds Innovation

California funding for education ranks 30th in the nation and provides only a basic education for our children.

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SCEF raises essential funds from parents and the community to help bridge the gap between what the state provides and what is needed for a well-rounded public education for all students.

Funding for the San Carlos School District

Bridging the Funding Gap

While school funding from the state has increased in recent years, the costs of operating schools has also increased.  Community support helps supplement state funding and allows our school district to retain teachers and offer enrichment programs that would not be possible with state funding alone. Local support for our public schools (your donations to SCEF, local parcel taxes, grants from the Sequoia Health Care district and other local sources) make up nearly 20% of the district’s annual budget.

More Information about School Funding

  • State Funding FAQ - Read the FAQ’s for an understanding of how local public schools are funded and how your donations are put to work for every student, every day, in every classroom.

    • Basic Aid vs. LCFF districts? - Learn More​

  • California Education Finance Videos -​

    • Watch our video to learn more about how San Carlos School District schools are funded and how the SCEF helps bridge the gap to ensure a well-rounded education for all students.

    • Former School District Trustee Seth Rosenblatt explains how California Public School Funding and how it impacts the San Carlos School District. Watch Video

Local Districts Revenue per Student

Source: Ed Data 2022–2023

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San Carlos remains near the bottom in per student spending compared to surrounding School Districts due to the impact of Proposition 13.

Fund-the-Future

Fund-the-Future

Every year, the San Carlos Education Foundation identifies a particular need in our schools that would benefit from extra attention and focused funding. During our annual live auction, participants make restricted donations to support this need. The Fund-the-Future challenge is supported by families and business who fund a matching pool and our auctioneer seeks donations to match (or surpass) the fund. In the past, the Fund-the-Future has raised between $150,000 and $230,000 for our schools.

Child in Science class

The 2024-2025 campaign is Fund-the-Future of Curiosity. We are raising funds to help spark students’ curiosity through the use of innovative technologies. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) education and Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy will empower students to build future ready skills and teachers to personalize learning. Additionally, Project-Based Learning experiences will engage students as problem-solvers who can imagine and create the future.

 

If we reach our Fund the Future of Curiosity goal, schools will be able to:

  • Invest in teacher professional learning on AI Integration, implementing STEAM and Project Based Learning in classrooms

  • Fund student licenses to AI powered learning tools like Khanmigo

  • Provide teacher licenses for tools like MagicSchool AI, enabling teachers to personalize and differentiate classroom instruction to meet students' diverse learning needs

  • Continue purchase of STEAM hands-on investigation and coding kits and STEAM supplies for school sites

  • Purchase Virtual Reality Learning Experiences for students, and Robotics kits for Computer Science Classes /Enrichment Clubs

  • Continue purchase of Makerspace kits and materials for Elementary and Middle schools

  • Continue purchase of Project Based Learning supplies and materials

  • Continue elementary STEAM School Day programs for students

  • At San Carlos Charter

    • Continue replenishing Chromebooks to maintain 1:1 ratio for grades 3–8

    • Upgrade and update wireless network infrastructure

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