Deadline tonight to fully restore athletic budget

San Juan Island Schools Superintendent Michael Soltman reported that $17,600 has been raised toward a goal of $23,000 needed to fully restore the athletic program for next year.

The deadline for raising the money is today.

Sandy Guard, Purple and Gold board member, said, “$5,400 is needed by Wednesday’s school board meeting in order to fully restore the athletic program without raising athletic participation fees.”

The school board meets at 6 p.m. in the Friday Harbor High School Library. The meeting is open to the public.

Purple and Gold is coordinating fundraising to restore funding for the boys tennis, volleyball, wrestling, golf, boys soccer, and track programs next year. Donations to Purple and Gold can be made through board member Kim Blake at Whidbey Island Bank, or mailed to P.O. Box 3124.

Charles Anderson, president of the San Juan Community Foundation, and Paul LeBaron, president of the San Juan Public Schools Foundation, continue to be committed to raising the final $100,000 in matching funds necessary to fully restore funding for all programs and services for the 2008-09 school year.

Donations can be made directly to the foundations and all donations are eligible for matching funds.

To date, nearly $200,000 has been raised toward meeting the “Challenge Gift” of $300,000. Community members wishing to make a contribution may call the community foundation at 378-1001, or the schools foundation “SOS Hotline” at 370-7925. Or use the “Donate Now” secure link on the foundation Web site, www.sjpsf.org.

Further, a long-range planning task force has had its initial meeting to consider legislative advocacy for full funding of basic education. The task force will work through the summer and fall to develop a long-term funding strategy for the next three to five years.