The SOQUEL HIGH FUND - 2009-10 Letter

A non-profit organization supporting the academic, art and athletic programs at Soquel High School

Dear Soquel High School Parents, Alumni, and Community:

We invite you to join us in investing in our most important resource, our children, by supporting Soquel High's Annual Fund Drive. Your donations to the Soquel High Fund are essential in continuing vital programs like afterschool athletics, the Humanities Academy and our award winning art/music programs. Due to recent budget cuts, many of these programs are now funded exclusively by you, our community, and the programs' fundraising efforts.

To better understand the financial challenges facing Soquel High School, we thought we would breakdown some the budget cuts imposed for the 2009-10 school year.

• The general fund allocation for departmental spending which covered costs of books for English, lab materials & software for Science, equipment replacement for P.E., supplemental materials for Special Education, and royalties and music purchases for the Performing Arts Department, as well as general supply items like Kleenex, whiteboard markers, etc for each department, was reduced from $21,000 for last year to ZERO for this year.

• Stipends for athletics, band, choir, drama, mock trial, and student activities have been eliminated in this year's budget. The cost of stipends for the athletic director and over 30 coaches (who give endless hours) is about $126,000. The cost of stipends for band, choir, drama, mock trial, and student activities directors (who give endless hours) is about $17,000.

• The on-site sheriff has only been funded for one semester. We will need an additional $47,000 to keep the sheriff on site for the second semester.

These budget deficits are just some of the most critical budget cuts imposed for this school year. There may be mid-term budget cuts this year and further cuts earmarked for next year.

Understanding these are difficult financial times for many of our families, the Soquel High Fund is requesting that each family contribute what they can. Any amount will be greatly appreciated, but make no mistake we are in serious need and our kids are counting on us.

There are two ways to donate this year. You may write a check payable to the Soquel High Fund and mail it with this form to the address below, or you may conveniently click the "Please Donate" link at the top left of this page.  All donations are tax deductible.

Lisa Andersen                                           Ken Lawrence-Emanuel

President, Soquel High Fund                 Principal, Soquel High School

Please apply my donation to: _________________________________

(If you choose not to direct your donation, we will apply it to an area of need)

Donation Amount $______________

Your Name ___________________________________________________

Company (if applicable) ________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________

Email ________________________________________________________

Donations accepted throughout the year.

Thank you in advance for your generous contribution and continued support!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

P.O. Box 1700 Soquel, CA 95073 Tax ID # 77-0038657 www.soquelhighfund.org