FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Why should I donate?
Many of us choose to live in the Los Altos School District for our great public schools, but educational excellence comes at a price. The funding we receive is far lower than other highly ranked school districts across the country. This is because California voters passed Proposition 13, a 1978 state measure that limits property tax increases, which caused a decline in funding for our schools. In our school district, the housing values are high, but our effective property tax rate is one of the lowest in the state due to the long-time homeownership common in our community. State and local taxes do not fully fund excellent public schools for our students.
We encourage parents and community members to donate to LAEF and the PTAs to fund the high-quality education we value. We believe that strong schools are the foundation of a thriving community.
For more information:
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Learn more about LASD Finances: ABCs of school finance presentation, ABCs of school finance video
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Watch the 2-minute video "Funding an Excellent Public Education."
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Read the article, "It’s pretty interesting: Learn about real estate and school funding in Los Altos.
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To dive deeper into school finance in California, visit Ed 101.
2 Why are the PTAs and LAEF both raising money for the schools, and why are the suggested amounts different?
A key to LASD’s success is the vibrant partnerships and financial support from LAEF and each school’s PTA. Although LASD is one of the top-ranked school districts in California, state and local taxes alone do not provide adequate funding for the excellent education we want for our students. LAEF and the school PTAs raise funds to help bridge the funding gap, giving LASD the additional resources needed to make all our elementary and junior high schools strong.
Donations to LAEF support resources that are best funded at the district level:
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Specialized teachers and staff, including music teachers, PE specialists, librarians, junior high elective instructors, and mental health counselors
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Instructional programs and materials, such as Art Docents, Living Classroom, Starting Arts, Computer Science, and SEL (social-emotional learning).
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Classroom technology, facility improvements, and staff development.
Donations to your school’s PTA support resources that are best funded at the school site level, such as community events, staff appreciation, and programs that enrich the student experience beyond the classroom.
The efforts of LAEF and the PTAs depend on your financial support.
