A recent survey of all parents of children attending Los Altos School District schools, conducted by the Los Altos Educational Foundation, indicated overwhelming support for the programs funded by LAEF, a non-profit, parent-volunteer organization that coordinates donations from parents and the Los Altos community.

The foundation raises funds to enable Los Altos schools to offer enrichment programs and smaller class sizes that otherwise would not be affordable.

More than 1,000 parents responded to the survey, believed to be the largest opinion survey of Los Altos School District parents. Parents were asked a wide range of questions, including their relative satisfaction with the class sizes and enrichment programs offered by Los Altos schools and their relative preference for allocating funds to various school programs.

Overall, parents were satisfied with class sizes, which have been reduced at many levels as a result of the more than $1 million donated each year through the foundation.

“These funds pay for salaries of additional teachers and aides,” said Mark Goines, president of the foundation and a district parent.

Parents had mixed opinions on how to allocate funds to the enrichment programs offered by the school district. Some were impressed that physical education classes were fully funded by LAEF donations, while others felt that money should be allocated elsewhere, such as to increase the funding for music, art and science classes.

Many parents hoped that some day the foundation would receive enough donations to sponsor foreign language classes in the elementary school program. Such classes are not currently offered until junior high school.

“There is constant communication between the parents, the school district and LAEF to see what to offer and what can be afforded,” said David Pefley, a foundation board member and district parent.

The majority of district students’ parents donate to LAEF each year. Support has also been strong from real estate agents, builders, community groups, businesses and individuals in the Los Altos area.

“The recommended donation for parents is $700 per child, but 100 percent participation, whatever the amount, is always the main goal,” Goines said.

The most common reason for donating to LAEF was, “I believe that parents and the community should provide their support to make the Los Altos schools better than what the state offers.”

To make a donation or a legacy bequest to the Los Altos Educational Foundation, log on to www.laefonline.org or e-mail Robyn Faye at laef@att.com.