Education foundation to support MUSD exclusively

Maricopa Education Foundation president Jeff Kramarczyk told the Maricopa Unified School District governing board May 28 the foundation is changing its focus – to exclusively support MUSD. 

Historically, MEF has supported all state-recognized organizations, programs and students, pre-kindergarten through postgraduate, in Maricopa. 

Kramarczyk said the idea of partnering exclusively with the district is in response to the financial pressures being put on MUSD by the state Legislature. 

The city’s economic development is another reason the foundation decided to focus on MUSD. Kramarczyk said Maricopa’s growth is dependent to a degree on the quality of its public school system and how it is perceived by businesses considering locating in the city. 

“The city can only progress toward its educational goals if we can attract business and employers,” he said. 

He said the foundation believes it would be “better for the community” if it focuses on assisting the district for these reasons. 

In a presentation to the school board, Kramarczyk projected the foundation could provide MUSD $55,000 in grant money over the next three years, compared to the $8,000 it donated this year. 

Kramarczyk estimated MUSD would receive an additional $66,000 over the period in increased school tax credit revenue with MEF’s help promoting the program. Arizona law allows dollar-for-dollar tax credits for donations to public school of up to $200 for individuals and $400 for couples. 

By publicizing information about the tax credit – how it works and how the money is used by the district – people will be more inclined to contribute, he said. 

Kramarczyk said the partnership with MUSD could help the foundation recruit large benefactors, such as Intel Corp., that require their beneficiaries to specify how the funds would be spent. If the foundation focuses on the district, it can tell companies their donations will go toward meeting the district’s strategic goals. 

***ADVERTISEMENT***MEF formed an ad hoc committee to focus on passing a budget override, should the school board decide to place the measure on the November ballot. Kramarczyk said the MEF board will vote June 18 on whether to provide $2,500 in seed money toward a public education campaign. 

Superintendent Steve Chestnut said the district is “very appreciative of MEF's support in the past, and we are excited about expanding this partnership.