FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who coordinates the On-line Donation program?
Why donate cash rather than purchase the supplies?
Don’t our taxes pay for classroom supplies?
How much does it cost to support a classroom?
Can I decide where my contribution will go?
 

Who coordinates the On-line Donation program?

The PUSD Foundation, a 501©3 non-profit, is coordinating the Classroom Supplies On-line Donation Program. All donations are tax deductible. Donations will be directed to the school, teacher/s, and/or programs of your choice. Donations to the site’s donation account for classroom supplies cannot be used for anything other than classroom supplies or copies, unless specified by the donor. Print the Confirmation Receipt for your tax record. PUSD Foundation Tax I.D. #54-2098945

Why donate cash rather than purchase the supplies?

Making a cash donation allows the teacher to purchase PUSD approved supplies using the PUSD discounted price on both supplies and copies. Cash donations also allow the teacher to purchase copies at the site for their instructional needs. Your cash donation allows teachers to provide students with their own copy of directions; their own exam on which to write; their own piece of literature on which to make notes...

Don’t our taxes pay for classroom supplies?

Taxes pay for a minimum level of education. We want more for our children. Consider these facts:

• Proposition 13 and the restructuring of California economy have affected our ability to keep pace in a competitive world.
• The state lottery, which helps support schools, provides just 1.5% of our total PUSD school budget.
• The national average of per student spending is $9,963. California spends only $7,571 per student, ranking us 47th in the nation in per student spending (Education Week, Quality Counts 2009).
• The Poway Unified School District receives approximately $5,200.00 /pupil in state revenue for 2009-10, plus an additional amount from State, Federal, and other local sources. This may change if the governor cuts revenue limits further. Most of our neighboring school districts receive more per student due to the different funding structures for different school districts. Poway’s revenue limit was set at the 1972-73 per ADA amount when we were a very rural area with a very low property tax rate. Therefore, PUSD is considered a “low-wealth” district for state funding.

Over and above what a school district provides for classroom supplies, the average teacher spends more than $659.00 each year from their own pocket to buy classroom supplies (The 2010 NSSEA Retail Market Awareness Study). This amount does not include student workbooks, manipulatives, updated software, and/or copies for individual student instructions. In order to maintain the learning environment our students need and deserve, we need your support now more than ever.

How much does it cost to support a classroom?

This depends on the classroom. Our high school science departments require more than $20,000.00 to provide the basic supplies needed for science labs. Our elective programs: robotics, ceramics, screen printing, child care, culinary arts, auto shop, choir, band…are very dependent upon specialized and often very expensive supplies. Our special education classes require individualized curriculum for each student. All classrooms need pens, pencils, markers, white boards, calculators, paper, notebooks, files, folders, staples, and copies! The list of supplies is extensive and can range from $1000.00 - $5000.00 for the year for a single teacher depending on the grade-level and the content taught. That’s another reason why it’s important to make a donation to the site for all classrooms or departments. Some classrooms have greater needs than others.

Can I decide where my contribution will go?

Yes! The Classroom Supplies On-line Donation program offers flexibility in giving. You may give to the designated site’s general donation fund for the equal benefit of all teachers’ classroom needs; or you may designate a teacher(s), a grade-level team, a department, or a program as the recipient of your donation.

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