Our public schools do a terrific job for our children and our community. Our schools are the bedrock of society and lay the foundations for our future. They enhance our quality of life and consequently, our property values.

But right now our schools are facing a crisis unparalleled in recent memory. This year, as in prior years, the district is losing over a Million dollars from the OUSD budget due to declining enrollment. This year is especially difficult because the state, in order to balance their budget, is cutting an additional $800,000 from our district! The OUSD board is faced in the next 45 days with making difficult and extreme cuts in order to present a balanced budget. The potential cuts include increasing class sizes, teacher reductions, school closures, and cutting vital programs and activities. California is faced with moving from 46th in spending per pupil to 48th as a result.

The Ojai Education Foundation is trying to do what it can to Save Ojai’s Schools and prevent drastic increases in class sizes. We are working closely with every PTA/PTO at each of the different schools to leverage our collective efforts in facing this challenge. OEF has launched a drive to raise $330,000 by May 22 to “Save Ojai Schools”. This equates to only $100 per student! This money will only be used to save our teachers, keep class sizes down, and keep our schools open. We already have over $20,000 committed.

We need your help right now before the board makes irrevocable cuts! We hope you will donate whatever you can to the “Save Ojai Schools” campaign. Other donors have asked us to share their suggestion that they are pledging half of their “Fiscal Stimulus Package of 2008” of $600 for every eligible adult and $300 for every eligible child that is being distributed by the Federal Government starting as early as May. The wonderful part about this is that they still benefit from this extra money and we can save our schools! Plus, the donation is tax deductible. We are incredibly lucky that this money is coming in at this time of need. Please help us save our teachers and prevent our schools from closing by sending us your donation today to OEF, PO Box 1769, Ojai 93024. You can find us on the web at www.ojaief.org, send an e-mail to info@ojaief.org, or leave us a voicemail message at: (805) 850-5068. Please Join Us to Save Ojai Schools!

Michael Caldwell, President of the Ojai Education Foundation