Due to tough economic times, the State of Massachusetts reduced the level of funding it provided to The Town of Sunderland while also increasing the town's portion of funding for Frontier and Franklin Technical Schools. At the same time, town revenue decreased, leaving the Town of Sunderland with a budget shortfall of $742,496 for fiscal 2010. An override referendum was put to the town voters to increase property taxes by this amount in order to balance the budget.

On July 18, 2009, the override failed and necessary town and school budget cuts were made. On August 17, 2009 voters approved a reduced budget. The Sunderland Elementary School Committee reduced the budget for the Elementary School by $384,558.

A committed group of parents, teachers, businesses and other school supporters formed the Sunderland Sustain Our School (SOS) campaign and created the Sunderland Elementary Gift Fund to restore key staffing positions and programs for the 2009/10 school year. SOS is also establishing a long-term education foundation to sustain the well-rounded education that has been a point of pride in Sunderland for so many years.

We offer a number of suggested gift levels and benefits for both individual donors and businesses. We are asking donors to consider donating all or a portion of what they would have paid in additional taxes had the override passed. All gifts are welcomed. Special recognition will be given to supporters who give $250 or more. Gifts of $5,000 or higher are considered leadership contributions.

The money raised from this special fund will be used to reinstate key programs and the staff to support them. Full music and art departments are top on the priority list, and it is our hope that we will raise enough money to do more. While the School Committee has final say on how the money will be spent, they have made a commitment that the wishes of the donors will be taken into strong consideration. Therefore, when you make a donation, please identify what you feel should be the top priorities. We also encourage you to participate in the upcoming school committee meeting on September 15, 2009 and to contact Superintendent Regina Nash expressing your priorities to help them fully understand the desires of the Sunderland community.

Yes, all donations are tax deductible as permitted by law. You will receive a written receipt for tax purposes.

Many businesses will match contributions made to nonprofit funds like the Sunderland Elementary Gift Fund . If your company offers a matching gift program, you may be able to double your gift or even triple it! Often a spouse's company or a retiree's company will also offer matching contributions. Please obtain a matching gift form from your company and enclose it when making your gift.

Certainly. Please indicate that you do not want to be identified as a supporter and we will honor that.

Visit the donate page.

Your donation will be designated for the Sunderland Elementary Gift Fund. It will then be assigned for the School Committee, the Superintendent and the Principal to re-establish some of the positions and programs that were cut.

Hiring decisions will be made based on how much money is raised, how best to meet the teaching and schedule needs, and supporters' requests. An area is provided on the donation form to state your wishes.

The School Committee and Principal will be informed weekly of how much money has been raised. Money will be turned over to the school on Sept. 1st in anticipation of the September 15 School Committee Meeting. Hiring would proceed from there and be accomplished in a timely manner.

This depends on how much money is raised. Class structures as they are assigned now will remain the same. The fundraising goals are to use the money to hire more classroom assistants, and restore music, art, librarian, gym, reading and math support, technology and other programs.

No complications are anticipated and it is very possible to hire union employees with donated funds.

Some people have found new jobs. Others are returning at reduced hours. Still others are willing to return if funds are available.

The Sustain Our School campaign is a short-term effort to raise funds before Sept. 1, 2009. After that date, the PTO will continue to fundraise through Genevieve's, the basket raffle and other activities in order to provide school programs that supplement the curriculum and services such as buses for field trips.

The Sustain Our School campaign that is underway until September 1^st will cease. While the responsibility for funding education lies with the taxpayers, several long term strategies are being pursued that are intended to supplement that education

Most children are choosing to remain in the school based on the passionate and coordinated effort to regain some programs and the commitment of the school administration. See the note from Superintendent Regina Nash, Principal Merritt and a parent about this at the Sunderland Elementary Website. Regardless, the funds raised this year will go directly to school programs. The town will not be responsible for funds transferred out of the budget along with school choice children until next year.

In addition to donations to Sunderland Elementary Gift Fund, school administrators and the Sustain Our School team are pursuing other avenues for raising funds, including:

• Corporate donations
• State and federal grants
• Educational foundations & NGO support

No. The goal is to raise money, but we welcome the gift of time as well. The school needs volunteers in many areas, including classroom help, assisting with music, art, language, literacy, math, lunchroom, and other areas. See our Volunteer page for more information.

Please donate what you can to help the school. If you know of any potential corporate donations, please contact Shana Deane at 665-6616. We also encourage you to attend the PTO meeting on Sept. 21st at 6:30 pm in the School Library and the School Committee meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009 in the School Library.

We'd love to hear from you! If you have questions or would like more information, don't hesitate to contact us at: info(at)sossunderland.com or contact Nora Zinan, at 665-2319.