On August 31, the Spencerport Educational Foundation (SEF) geared up for the 2019-20 school year with a fundraising event featuring educator and comedian Gerry Brooks. Brooks delivered his patented brand of elementary school comedy to a sold out crowd. The SEF will use ticket proceeds to fund their mission of providing supplemental resources that will enrich and enhance teaching and learning in the Spencerport Central School District.
“Our goal is to support the district’s academic programs in ways that complement the district school budget,” said SEF board member Sara Snarr. “The education foundation has the flexibility to reduce financial stress in specific ways. We want our students and teachers to be able to focus on classes, trips, or events without being constrained by cost.”
The SEF Board has many ideas on how to disperse funds. Established in spring of 2019, the SEF Board is a team of community members with a broad range of professional expertise.
“There is a national trend toward education foundations,” said SEF board president Tom Cannan. “This is the right time for Spencerport. It’s the right group of people and the community is united in support of our district.” Snarr added, “We are setting up a grant application where teachers can apply for funds for expanding programs, planning in-depth field trips, or purchasing supplies for unique projects. I am interested to see what the staff requests. We really want teachers to be involved.”
Another academic area where the SEF could provide financial relief is college-level courses. The high school offers 18 advanced placement classes and four concurrent study programs. Both courses of study provide students the opportunity to earn college credit, but at an additional cost not covered in the school budget.
“The SEF could help defray examination and tuition fees for families who need assistance,” said SEF board member Nancy Bodhorn.
Academic programs are not relegated to the classroom. “Many of our academic teams have advanced to higher levels of competition,” said Snarr. “If we can relieve the pressure of last minute fundraising so they can attend these competitions, our teams can put their energy toward competing.”
One of the great things about the foundation is that we are adaptable,” said board member Lorenzo Rotoli. “As we learn where the need is, we can switch gears to provide the best support for our students and teachers.”
In addition to their fundraising events, the foundation accepts donations in the form of payroll deductions, estate bequests, and one-time gifts by mail or online. Donation information is available at spencerporteducationfoundation.org.
The SEF is looking for volunteers to serve on committees and at events. Anyone who is interested should contact the foundation at mailto:info@spencerporteducationfoundation.org.
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