Atkinson Elementary PTA

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JOIN ATKINSON PTA’S DIRECT DONATION CAMPAIGN 2005-2007 __________________________________ USE YOUR TAX SAVINGS TO HELP YOUR CHILD’S SCHOOL __________________________________

The Bad News:  Last June two Portland Public Schools property tax levies expired, resulting in a loss of $61 million dollars to the district – the source of funding for some 200 teachers' positions and more. Atkinson was forced to cut some staff positions and reduce others. The Good News:  The typical owner of a home assessed at $150,000 will see their school property taxes drop by $312, while school taxes on a $300,000 assessed home will drop by $629. Business owners, too, will see lower school taxes, with the owner of a $500,000 business property saving $1,047. The Atkinson PTA Decision:  The PTA believes that funding education should be the responsibility of the entire community. At the same time, we felt compelled to soften the full blow of cuts to the school’s budget. Working with Principal Gutierrez, we identified the restoration of two part-time bilingual educational assistants this year (2005-06), and one next year (2006-07) as the best way to help the largest number of kids and teachers in the school, while staying within realistic fundraising expectations. We did so with the understanding that this would be a special, two year funding commitment only. It will be up to the citizens of this state – or perhaps this region – to come up with a permanent solution to the school funding crisis. The Strategy:  The PTA is taking a three-pronged approach to find the money for these positions: temporarily trim funding for certain activities the PTA supported in the past, dip into our emergency reserve funds, and commit to raising more money. The last one is where you come in. We need your help to meet our commitment to raise $20,000 by the end of the school year. As of October 1 we already had commitments of $2,500. Will You Help Now?:  We ask that you consider contributing all or part of your tax savings to Atkinson PTA’s 2005-2007 Direct Donation Campaign. By check or by credit card, in a lump sum, or automatically deducted in as many or as few installments as you want – however you want to donate, we can accommodate you. Any amount, large or small, is appreciated and needed. Your contributions are tax deductible.

How to Join the Campaign:  Print out this form, complete and return it. (This is a PDF file. The form is on the second page.) Remember, no amount is too small!