FOUNDATION CREATED TO RAISE PRIVATE FUNDS
FOR SAUCON VALLEY SCHOOL DISTRICT
Slate of Officers Named
For immediate release
Contact: Susan Kennedy, suzntk@aol.com, 484-894-6779
Hellertown, Pa. (March 31, 2008) – More than 20 community leaders have formed a foundation to raise funds for educational programs not currently covered by the Saucon Valley School District’s general budget.
The Saucon Valley Foundation for Educational Innovation (SVFEI) is committed to providing enhancements to students in all grades. The Foundation seeks to solicit funds and distribute them for innovative learning experiences that enhance the quality of education in the School District. The Trustees of the Foundation will donate their time and efforts to raise the dollars needed for these programs.
According to Saucon Valley School Board President Ralph Puerta, the Foundation is an autonomous organization with its own bylaws and a 501(c) (3) tax exempt status, separate and distinct from the Saucon Valley School Board.
“This is a genuine benefit for our kids,” Puerta said. “The Board is grateful to have another group focused on helping the students at Saucon Valley. The Foundation’s primary goal is to work closely with us to identify those unbudgeted opportunities. The Foundation will provide teachers, departments and/or special interest groups with the money to bring these programs to life for the benefit of our students and their school.”
SVFEI hopes to widen the scope of learning with a host of quality innovations for our students. Financial grants will be issued to district-generated requests ranging from Technology and Learning, Arts and Education, Scholastic, Enhancement, Cultural, Health and Wellness, Entrepreneurship as well as Professional Development. The Foundation will seek gifts in the form of cash contributions, will bequests, insurance policies, memorials and tributes, all of which are tax exempt.
Uncertainty over school financing across the country has been a primary impetus for development of these foundations. For the Saucon Valley School District, which has enjoyed a well deserved reputation for quality schools, the question is: How do we cope with finite financial resources and make our great schools better? As proven in school districts across this country, educational foundations can provide a significant solution to this question by offering students the “extras” that cannot be financed through tax dollars alone.
“I believe that the quality of the people in the Foundation will ultimately be reflected in the quality of opportunities and programs that can be offered to the students of the district,” said School District Superintendent Sandra Fellin. “My sense is that the Foundation will be a vital cog in the assured success of our academic future.”
Joe Savage will assume the responsibilities of Chairman and will supervise all Foundation activities. Francie DeSalvio is Vice Chairman; Shelley Redding is Secretary; and David Velho is Treasurer. All officers are parents in the Saucon Valley School District.
“As a private organization, we will be able to raise the funds needed and distribute them for innovative learning experiences that enhance the quality of education for all students in the Saucon Valley School District,” Savage said. “All members of the Foundation are personally committed to ensuring our organization does everything possible to reach our financial, educational and programmatic goals.”
Dr. Felllin and Saucon Valley School Board director Sharon Stack will serve as Ex-Officio Trustees. Following are the other trustees, most of whom are parents in the school district: Anne Baum, Lora Guito, Susan Kennedy, Peter Kowalski, Sarah Middleton, Leslie O’Connell, Eric Schenkel, Terence Roberts, Edward Sinko, Lisa and Mark Wright.
Tax – deductable contributions to the Foundation can be sent to The Saucon Valley Foundation for Education Innovation at 2100 Polk Valley Road, Hellertown, PA 18055. For more information on contributing please contact Susan Kennedy, SVFEI Public Relations, suzntk@aol.com, 484-894-6779.
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