A parents group has formed a nonprofit entity called the Mead Education Foundation to help the Mead School District pay for things that arent covered by the districts budget.


The foundation claims to be one of the first organizations of its kind in Eastern Washington. The foundation, which kicked off its fund-raising campaign earlier this year, hopes to raise $25,000 by the end of the year from local businesses and individuals, says Mark Barnes, president of its board of directors. Its long-term plans include creating a large endowment and funding a variety of programs that promote innovation and learning.


We wanted to help, and the only way we know to help is with cash, says Barnes, who owns and operates National Furniture Store, at 1230 N. Division. We want to raise money to fund education beyond the basics. The sky is the limit.


The foundation has the blessing of the Mead School District, says Superintendent Steve Enoch, who sits on the foundations board as a nonvoting member.


A private nonprofit educational foundation that supports learning is a powerful statement, Enoch says. The foundation is a great way to build a partnership with the community.


Already, the foundation has given the district about $5,000 for an annual discretionary spending program, called the Principals Checkbook. The program, which was created by the foundation, allows principals at the districts 13 schools to spend about $400 each, however they see fit, such as for helping students with financial needs.


It could be used for a backpack, or to buy boots for the kids whose families are struggling, says Barnes. It could also be used to help pay for a sports physical, or to pay for a band fee.


Enoch says its not uncommon for teachers and administrators to pay for school supplies, shoes, clothing, and activity fees out of their own pockets.


There is a perception that Mead is a wealthy district, but we have a lot of families who are really struggling, he says. Often were scrambling to help these students. In a way, we shouldnt have to do that.


Barnes declines to disclose how much money the foundation has raised to date, but expects the organization will pick up more donations later this year. It has several fund-raising events planned, including receiving a part of the proceeds from pre-purchased tickets to a Nov. 12 Spokane Chiefs and Seattle Thunderbirds hockey game.


One of the foundations primary goals is to promote the use of technology in the classroom. The foundation plans to award small grants to students, staff members, and patrons who come up with ideas to improve technology-related education. These grants, which will have a maximum amount of $500, could be used to pay for such things as new computer programs or extra microscopes for an outdoor science class.


The grants reward innovation, he says. The money could be used for a special field trip, or a guest speaker.


The foundation expects to receive about 60 grant applications before its deadline this month. Depending on the amount of money it raises, it will award between 24 and 36 grants early next year, Barnes says.


Its very exciting because we have been working so hard to raise money, and now the time to give it to the district is finally here, Barnes says.


While Rogers High School in Spokane receives help from an independent organization thats dedicated to raising money to support the school, the Mead Education Foundation is the first group here to work to help an entire school district, Enoch claims.


Generally, education foundations are more common on the West Side of the state, he says. When I came here three years ago, I was surprised not to find one here.


Enoch says the Mead School Districts $62 million general fund operating budget doesnt cover everything that teachers and students need to be successful.


Look at real dollars, and weve lost ground over the last 15 years because the funding has slipped, he says. Were suffering under unfunded mandates from the state and federal government.


The Mead Education Foundation modeled itself after the 15-year-old Vancouver School District Foundation, which has an endowment of $1.6 million and operates on an annual budget of about $200,000. Meads organization flew Vancouver School District Foundation Director Jim Sork to Spokane for a meeting last March to learn how to build a successful operation.


Mead had enthusiastic volunteers who already had quite a few great funding ideas, says Sork. Its difficult for folks, even wealthy folks, to ask for money. The cause is so legitimate because of the needs of these kids.


Barnes and John Serben, an account executive here with Fidelity Associates Insurance & Financial Services Inc., created the foundation in November 2003. They spent the last year building the organizations infrastructure and deciding what direction it would take.


The duo previously had worked together on two successful fund-raising ballot measures for the Mead School District.


We worked so well together that it made sense to continue our fund-raising efforts, Barnes says.