By Sara Ballenger

After Measure A, also known as the parcel tax, failed to pass in a special election April 9, the Los Altos community sprung into action, forming “Save Our Schools,” a non-profit foundation whose aim is to raise funds for the Los Altos School District. SOS, a group of concerned parents, teachers and community members, held its first organizational meeting April 17.

SOS is separate from, and does not want to compete with, the fund-raising efforts of the district’s PTAs and the Los Altos Educational Foundation, another non-profit organization raising funds for the district.

Members of SOS hope to work in conjunction with LAEF on raising funds, SOS chairwoman Maria Dickerson said.

The district, which serves approximately 4,000 students in seven elementary schools and two junior high schools, is facing a $3.6 to 4 million deficit next school year.

The parcel tax would have given the district approximately $4 million in revenue, said Randy Kenyon, assistant superintendent of business services.

Without those funds, the district is looking at making cuts. The day after the election, the district sent layoff notices to 26 temporary teachers and it has been meeting with its Budget Review Committee to examine other areas for cuts.

SOS is hoping to raise enough money that the district can reinstate teachers and save part of the district’s academic program from the chopping block.

“This is a grass-roots campaign,” Dickerson said. “Our overall purpose is to maintain class size, maintain the libraries and enrichment programs. We don’t know how much money we can raise; that has yet to be determined. Suffice it to say, we need millions and the timeline is short.”

The district will determine its class sizes and possible teacher reductions by May 2 and needs to submit its final budget for next school year by the beginning of its next fiscal year, July 1.

Before beginning its fund-raising campaign, SOS is planning to poll parents at each school, asking about the willingness of these parents to donate, Dickerson said.

“People want to know how much is expected,” parent David Coff said. “It helps to have an objective for families. Ask for $1,000 from parents with students in the district and $333 from district residents who don’t have school-age kids, and of course, we appreciate donations above and below that,” he suggested. No donation amount has been set.

SOS is planning to begin its fund-raising campaign with a phone-a-thon April 30 and May 1-2, and plans to collect pledges May 2 through May 31.

“It’s about putting the kids first,” said district parent and substitute teacher Katie Coleman.

Send tax-deductible donations to the Los Altos Community Foundation-Save Our Schools, 183 Hillview Ave., Los Altos, CA 94022. Make checks payable to Save Our Schools-LACF.