The Las Lomitas Education Foundation was created in 1985, recognizing that ensuring excellent public education would require additional private financial support from the local community. We are a non-profit community organization, comprised of parents and community leaders, dedicated to maintaining and enriching the tradition of excellence in the Las Lomitas Elementary School District.

Our Mission

• Raise funds to close the gap between the cost of high-quality education and existing State and Local funding for Las Lomitas Elementary School and La Entrada Middle School.
• Build community support for public education.

Why A Foundation?

We live in a community where we expect the best for ourselves as well as our children. Yet, California still ranks 23rd in the nation in per-pupil spending even before cost of living adjustments. Education is expensive and its costs are increasing at an annual clip of 5% -- far exceeding cost of living increases. The state budget situation will only continue to put strains on state funding for local schools.

With the passage of Proposition 13 in June 1978 brought a dramatic reduction in funds available to schools through local property taxes. Because property taxes were limited to no more than 1% of full cash value, the local allocation to the school districts no longer raised the amount of money required to fund public education at the previously determined revenue levels.

A school district is labeled a "basic aid districtÓ when the amount of local property taxes collected meets or exceeds its full funding entitlement. This designation means that there is no "differenceÓ to be made-up by the State. That district may keep all of the money raised and still receive the "state basic aidÓ amount of $120 per student. Las Lomitas Elementary School District is a "basic-aidÓ district, which puts us in a better position than many of than the other 95% of the State's districts.

Although our district is in a better position than many others, the State has threatened to take the "basic aidÓ category away and redirect the property taxes from wealthier areas to less fortunate school districts. Along with the steep cuts in educational programs in the pubic schools and this threat of redirecting our main revenue source creates a scenario that supports the idea of a Foundation for our school in our community.

Over the past 25 years, The Foundation has become a critical piece of The District's revenue sources at 7%.

The Foundation raises funds through:

• The Annual Giving Campaign- The primary source of fund-raising for The Foundation. The Annual Giving Campaign begins in October and ends in May. Nearly 70% of District families give to this campaign.
• The Hoedown- The second largest revenue generator for The Foundation. The Hoedown is a fun, auction / dinner that is held each May.
• eScrip- An easy way to contribute money to your school. By registering your credit and debit cards online, every time you use your card at a participating retailer, a gift is automatically made to The Foundation.
• Business Donors- Is a way for community businesses to support our local schools.
• Matching Gifts- Many corporations will match employee donations. Click here for a complete list of participating companies.
• Fund A Need- Each year, The Foundation raises money for Fund-A-Need – a specific program that The District targets for additional funding.
• Endowment- You can purchase bricks and tiles for placement at Las Lomitas and/or La Entrada to benefit the Endowment Fund.