The Basics

All across the United States, communities are starting foundations to supplement school budgets because municipal finances are being stretched thin due to rising health care and energy costs. Gloucester is not alone. Over 25% of public schools now have foundations to supplement school budgets, with more and more funding such "basics" as librarian positions, language teachers, and innovative math and science programs, such as the Math Olympiad. And that number is growing.

Until Gloucester’s tax-base grows and increased funding comes from the State, the Foundation will use a portion of the funds we raise to help the schools pay for some of these "basics". Our process will be to work with the School Committee and Administrators to determine priority programs. We will then put a "sunset clause" on the funds we provide to let local school and political leaders know we expect these items to be covered out of public dollars.

A few priorities we believe fit into the "basic" category include funding a district-wide tutoring program, as well as after-school homework clubs and skill-building programs that supplement work in the classroom. In many communities, these have made a big difference. As Arne Duncan, CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, reports: "If you look at the results of our after-school programs, our test scores jumped to all time highs, our truancy rate dropped to its lowest point ever, and our graduation rate is at an all time high."

The Foundation is interested in funding at least one "Master Teacher", a Program Leader in the schools, whose job it is to work one-on-one and in groups with staff to support and strengthen best practices in teaching. In New York City, test scores have improved in those schools where these programs exist.