'Write the Future' Exceeds Quarter-Million-Dollar Goal

At the , Jodi Stello and Kim Fredrick announced a campaign to raise $250,000 by April 30 to save imperiled programs and services.

When the two weeks was up, they had exceeded their goal, raising $264,795, not including a few checks still waiting to be counted. The funds are collected through the nonprofit Foundation at Great Valley.

A total of 763 people, families and businesses contributed to the campaign, with about $30,000 of donations arriving within a few hours of the kickoff, and $70,000 being raised in the final day.

According to Fredrick, the next phase of the campaign will launch soon, and will likely run the entire school year instead of two weeks.

The campaign website includes a question-and-answer section, which details how the money will be spent:

11. How will the funds from the “jump start” campaign be used?

The funds raised will save the following items in the order listed. For example, if we raise $136,500, items 1 and 2 would be saved:  

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  1. Extra Duty Responsibilities (EDR’s):             $50,000

Saving this amount would ensure that EDR’s at the elementary level will remain as they are today, including, but not limited to activities like Student Council, Video Club, and Envirothon, intramurals and band/orchestra.

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  1. Athletics: (9^TH grade and 7^th grade sports):             $86,500

This item was selected because it does impact the daily lives of our students. Please note – if surrounding districts cut 9^th grade sports, GVSD will be forced to follow suit. If that occurs, the funds raised for that program would be rolled into the next line item. 

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  1. Aide hours:             $120,000

This includes both science aides and other aide hours. Aides are an invaluable resource to our students, our teachers, and our administrators.  Saving all aide hours would account for $120,000 of this campaign.

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  1. Senior volunteers:              $5,100

Our senior volunteers play an important role in our schools. Our parent group believes that the cost of $5,100 to continue providing a stipend to senior volunteers goes a long way to supporting our school community’s relationship with our senior volunteers.

Total:            $261,600