|
Following are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: Who is EEF?
Q: Why a Foundation?
Q: Don’t property taxes pay for our schools?
Q: How do the 2006 state laws affect our district?
Q: Is my gift to EEF subject to Robin Hood recapture?
Q: What about the bond passed in May 2006?
Q; How is the Foundation managed?
Q: Where does the Foundation money go?
Q: How much does the Foundation give away?
Q: How is the money raised?
Q: Does the Foundation have an endowment?
Q: How does my gift benefit my school?
Q: What is the difference between the monies raised by my campus Booster Club/PTO and the monies raised by EEF?
Q: Why can't my Booster Club pay for more teachers on my campus?
Q: What about United Way and Employer Matching Funds?
Q: Is my gift tax-deductible?
Q: Can I make a monthly donation?
Q: I’m a Westlake Graduate, is there an alumni association?
Q: How can I/we help?
Q: Who is EEF?
A: The Eanes Education Foundation (EEF) is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization which raises money for the Eanes Independent School District (EISD), a public school district serving over 7,000 students. EEF seeks current and endowed financial support from parents, the community and corporate donors to fund the gap between an adequate education as defined by the state of Texas and the excellent education we want for our children. Back to Top
Q: Why a Foundation?
A: The Texas Constitution requires that the State of Texas provide an adequate education to its children. Regardless of current and future legislative changes by the Texas Legislature, it is our belief that there will always be a gap between the tax dollars available to fund an adequate education and the dollars required to fund educational excellence that has become a community standard in EISD.
For example, the state of Texas does NOT require at any level Nurses, Librarians, Counselors, or Campus Technology Coordinators. At the elementary level, Texas does not require Gifted and Talented teachers, specials teachers, Compact/Advanced Math, Advanced Language Arts, and has no size limit on 5th grade classes. At the middle school level, Texas does not require Gifted and Talented teachers, electives teachers, Advanced Math, Advanced Language Arts, class size limits, any sports program, foreign language, band, choir, orchestra, drama, journalism, technology. In high school, Texas does not require Gifted and Talented courses, electives teachers, any Advanced Placement course, any Pre-Advanced Placement course, class size limits, any sports program, advanced core subject electives such as Calculus, Statistics, Biology II, Chemistry II, any standard elective such as debate, journalism, creative writing, countless fine arts and technology electives, choice of foreign language electives and the choice to take a foreign language for more than three years. Read more...
The Foundation, through community support, has become a critical element in raising private dollars to support the public schools and maintain and enhance the educational excellence and the strength and vitality of our community. As an independent 501(c)3 non-profit, the Foundation provides accountability to its donors for the dollars raised. Back to Top
Q: Don’t property taxes pay for our schools?
A: Eanes ISD keeps only about 50% of our property tax revenue, although the exact figure changes from year to year. The remaining revenue is "recaptured" or taken away by the state and given to a "property poor" districts. This recapturing law is also referred to as "share the wealth" or “Robin Hood”. EEF raises money district-wide to ensure excellence. The Annual Giving Campaign (AGC), for example, is the only vehicle which can raise private dollars for teacher staff and positions. Bond revenues pay for substantially facilities (buildings, busses, etc.), and campus-specific organizations such as booster clubs, PTOs, etc. provide for campus-specific needs. Read more... Back to Top
Q: How do the 2006 state laws affect our district?
A: The legislation passed in the summer of 2006 helped our district in three ways, but it did not fix the Robin Hood problem facing our district, which still requires us to send away over half of our property tax revenue. The three ways the state helped most districts, including ours,are:
- teachers received compensation increases;
- high schools received an allotment of $275 per student, and;
- districts were given the option of taxing and keeping (unrecaptured) 4 cents more per $100 of property tax revenue.
One large issue facing EISD is the so called "hold harmless" provisions of this law. Under these provisions, EISD is guaranteed to receive the same funding from tax revenue as it did in 2005-2006. However, EISD has little ability to increase over this amount and there is no adjustment for inflation. Over time, EISD may experience significant budget compression in real terms. Back to Top
Q: Is my gift to EEF subject to Robin Hood recapture?
A: NO! 100% of the money given to EEF stays in the District. Back to Top
Q: What about the bond passed in May 2006?
A: The bond that was passed in 2006 is for facility upgrades, busses and technology. State Law does not enable these funds to be used for District Operational expenses including teachers. Read more... Back to Top
Q: How is the Foundation managed?
A: EEF is governed by a board of directors representing a broad spectrum of talent in the community and consists of representatives from parents, community members, EISD and campus Booster Club/PTOs. An Advisory Board of community leaders supports fund-raising efforts and provide guidance concerning various activities, as does a Past Presidents Council. The Foundation maintains a staff of three, an executive director and two part-time executive assistants. Back to Top
Q: Where does the Foundation money go?
A: A Joint Council, comprised of representatives from EISD and EEF, establish funding priorities on an annual basis. In recent years, EEF has primarily funded teacher and staff salaries. Additionally, the Partnership for Teacher Excellence Program (PTEP) was inaugurated in 2007-2008 - EEF's first Directed Giving Opportunity! The Foundation is the only vehicle to financially support District-wide programs and the only way to fund teacher and staff salaries. Back to Top
Q: How much does the Foundation give away?
A: Since the 2004-2005 school year, EEF has granted a total of $3,450,000 to EISD.
For both the 2008-2009 and 2007-2008 school years, EEF granted $925,000 to EISD. In the 2006-2007 school year, EEF granted $725,000 to EISD. In the 2005-2006 school year, EEF gave $500,000. During the 2004-2005 school year, $375,000 was given to fund teacher pay raises and two educational programs: Westlake Writes and Teaching with Technology programs. With your help we can continue this trend of increased financial support. Read more...
Q: How is the money raised?
A: The two major initiatives are an Annual Giving Campaign in the fall, and an Annual Gala in the spring. Our Annual Giving Campaign is our annual fund drive that solicits from the entire EISD community to support teacher and staff positions. The Annual Gala includes dinner, silent and live auctions, and other festivities and raises funds to support EEF's mission. The Foundation also applies to private foundations and civic groups for funds for specific projects. We also have partnerships with community businesses. Back to Top
Q: Does the Foundation have an endowment?
A: The Foundation has built up over time a small endowment fund made up of the gifts of visionary early donors. Eventually the Endowment Fund will provide a predictable source of income for District academic needs. Already in place is a planned giving program to accept gifts of bequests through wills and other charitable arrangements. Back to Top
Q: How does my gift benefit my school?
A: EEF raises money for District-wide needs benefiting each of the 9 campuses. The Annual Giving Campaign specifically supports teacher and staff salaries and positions. Schools are allocated EEF money based on the number of students who are enrolled at that school. Each school's leadership determines how the funds are spent. Back to Top
Q: What is the difference between the monies raised by my campus Booster Club/PTO and the monies raised by EEF?
A: The Booster Club/PTOs play a critical role in raising money for campus specific enhancements and providing parent volunteers to help teachers and administrators be more effective. EEF raises money for District-wide needs, such as teacher and staff salaries and positions at all campuses. Read more...
Back to Top
Q: Why can't my Booster Club pay for more teachers on my campus?
A: EISD's policy is that decisions regarding teacher staffing are best handled by Central Administration so that curriculum can be consistent at every level. Because our 5th graders are joined together when they ender middle school, and likewise, our 8th graders are joined when they enter high school, it can only benefit our students to learn alongside their peers who have graduated from equally strong elementary and middle school programs. Having strong schools at every level provides a continuity of excellence and is the basis for our award-winning, nationally-recognized high school. Back to Top
Q: What about United Way and Employer Matching Funds?
A: These are great ways of increasing the impact you can make. You can designate EEF on your United Way contribution (Read more... ), or ask your employer if they match gifts to non-profit organizations. Read more...
Back to Top
Q: Is my gift tax-deductible?
A: Yes Back to Top
Q: Can I make a monthly donation?
A: Yes! Click here to donate now. Back to Top
Q: I’m a Westlake Graduate, is there an alumni association?
A: Not yet, but we’re working on it. Back to Top
Q: How can I/we help?
A: There are many ways to help. Click here to donate. To volunteer, call 732-9065
Become a Community Partner Back to Top
|
|
