Vashon Island’s public schools face a significant budget shortfall for the 2024-2025 school year.
The looming budget cuts threaten to disrupt the fabric of our school district, potentially resulting in the elimination of numerous staff positions and a reduction in critical educational services. These figures represent more than mere financial statistics; they symbolize the committed educators and staff who dedicate themselves to our students’ growth each day.
The depletion of these vital resources risks compromising educational quality and depriving our students of the opportunities to flourish in a supportive learning environment
Recognizing the gravity of this situation, the Vashon Schools Foundation (VSF) is pivoting our annual GiveBIG campaign into an urgent drive for support to preserve our beloved staffing and services that shape the educational experiences of our students.
Since its inception in 2010, the Vashon Schools Foundation has been instrumental in enriching our schools with over $3 million raised, often focusing on funding VISD program partners that include Vashon Youth & Family Services, Vashon Artists in Schools, Vashon Nature Center, Dove and Journeymen. These are the supplemental programs, not funded by the state, that make our public education so “Uniquely Vashon.”
But this year is different.
With the district facing steep cuts to essential services, every dollar VSF raises during GiveBIG will go toward closing the funding gap to reduce the impact of these cuts on our students. The urgent need to make this funding pivot was clearly expressed by the Vashon community of educators, counselors, nurses, parents, administrators, and most emphatically, by students, at the recent public meeting on VISD funding and potential reductions in force.
The VSF is asking you to dig deep and GiveBIG to this very urgent need in our district. We believe that by coming together as a community, we can ensure that our students continue to have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. Your participation, whether through a donation or by spreading the word, is crucial.
Here’s how you can make a difference:
Donate: We encourage you to visit our donation page here.
Contributions during the GiveBIG event on May 7 and 8, starting as early as April 26, are crucial. Your contribution, large or small, has the power to make a significant impact. Every dollar donated during GiveBIG will go directly towards helping to close the proposed budget gaps to preserve these vital staffing services for our students.
Spread the Word: The power of community is amplified when we unite for a common cause.
Share this message with your friends, family, and neighbors. By raising awareness, you help extend our reach and enhance our capability to meet our goals.
The Vashon Schools Foundation is committed to sustaining essential programming and staffing to uphold our promise to the future generations of our island. We are profoundly grateful for any support you can provide during this critical time. Your generosity not only helps us preserve essential educational services, but also sends a resounding message about the value our community places on public education.
Thank you for standing with us in this vital mission to maintain and enhance the educational landscape of Vashon.
Jordan Karr and Nicole Donnelly Martin are VSF board members.
