District 204 turning to foundation to cover the basics

Years ago, it was more common for the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation to provide extras for students, such as support for the annual Fine Arts Festival.

But with serious budget cuts and an increase in needy students, Indian Prairie Unit District 204 has asked its foundation to expand its role by providing funding for programs traditionally undertaken by the district, including an anti-bullying program and interventions for at-risk students.

“Their focus has changed dramatically,” Superintendent Kathy Birkett said. “They've really stepped up because the needs are greater and more varied than they used to be.”

The struggling economy and state funding cuts in education have changed not only the district's budget, but the financial security of many students, who come from Aurora, Bolingbrook, Naperville and Plainfield.

Back in 2005, about 4 percent of the district's 27,000 students were classified as low-income by the state report card. Last year, that figure was about 14 percent of nearly 29,000 students. Meanwhile over the last three years, the district slashed about $39 million from its budget resulting in hundreds of staff layoffs and the elimination or paring down of programs. The district's fiscal 2012 budget was at about $285 million.

Those factors have made the district reach out to its education foundation for help. The increased reliance is a sign of the times, said Kent Duncan, who will take over as the foundation's chairman on July 1 from the organization's first chairman, J. Alan Fry.

“Without question, I think we will continue to grow,” Duncan said. “The economic environment has changed a lot of things.”

He noted other school districts also are looking for private dollars or grants to supplement their budgets, making competition stiffer for funding. At the same time, businesses and organizations are changing the way they give money, preferring to fund specific programs or needs, Duncan said.

It's a good time for the foundation, made up of 16 volunteer directors, to take a look at its strategic plan.

Duncan said he doesn't anticipate the organization's mission will shift so much as expand.

The foundation's budget for the next fiscal year, also starting July 1, will increase by more than half, to $315,000 from about $205,000.

“We want to continue to fund the programs we have supported, but we also want to target the district's needs, and those are a different set of needs than in the past,” Duncan said.

The foundation was created in 1988 by a group of residents and business people who focused on educational opportunities for students in the arts, science and math. “The mission really was around supporting programs that normally wouldn't be funded through taxpayer dollars,” Duncan said. For instance, the foundation helped pay for the Fine Arts Festival that showcases art, music and performances by students throughout the district. Today, the foundation fully funds the festival that this year featured more than 80 musical performances and 12,000 pieces of visual art from students in all grades.

Also, the foundation helps fund heart screenings for high school students; artist-in-residence grants to bring artists, musicians and authors to classrooms; science and technology fairs; math enrichment for middle school students; and other programming. This year, the foundation also helped provide material goods like backpacks and winter coats for needy students.

For next year, District 204 has asked for $27,000 to pay for an anti-bullying program and $105,000 for technology and academic intervention programs for at-risk students.

Foundation grants go to programs that serve students throughout the district from preschool to high school, Birkett said.

“They do some phenomenal work,” she said. “They are at a point where they will do more expansive work in the future. I'm excited about that.”

Despite the economic downturn, District 204 families have remained big supporters of the foundation. In 2007, about $96,000 came from families, while about $125,000 came from them last year.

“I see that dollar amount as being an endorsement for what we do,” Duncan said.