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Who Funds What

Oxford Elementary’s budget is not fully covered by federal and state funding for the Berkeley public schools. In addition to California Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and federal Title 1 funds, Oxford’s full curriculum is kept afloat by:

  1. Special local tax ballot measure (BSEP)

  2. Funds raised by the Oxford PTA

Facts about BSEP at Oxford

Key Oxford programs provided by the BSEP tax:

  • 1/3 of our classroom teachers (which lowers class size)

  • The entire school library (staff and all materials)

  • Music program

  • School counselors

  • Technology services

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And site discretionary funds that provide:

  • 20% of literacy coach

  • 20% of technology teacher to help students and teachers

  • Kindergarten aide

  • Instructional assistants for math and literacy for differentiated instruction

  • After-school tutoring for reading and math

  • Substitute teachers for collaboration and assessments

  • Time for teachers to review data, collaborate and plan

  • Funding for materials and supplies for math, art and P.E.

  • Additional funding for the counseling program

  • Counseling Support for students

  • Art Program

 

How BSEP funds are governed

A school district committee called the Planning and Oversight (P&O) Committee advises the School Board on spending the funds for district-wide programs such as libraries and music, and each school has a School Site Committee (the SSC) that advises on how to spend the discretionary funds that are given to every school on a per student basis—about $230 per student at every school, which comes from BSEP. Let Principal Beth Cornwell know if you are interested in serving on the SSC or the District P&O Committee!

Primary Source of Flexible Funding = PTA

Funding for enrichment programs is provided primarily by the Oxford PTA. The PTA has to raise >$140,000 per year, roughly $550 per student. Not everyone in the Oxford community can afford $550, but if you are able, please donate.

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A few examples of what donations support:

  • $9 pays for one month of physical education (PE) for a student

  • $16 pays for the art supplies and playground equipment one child needs for the year

  • $61 per student pays for art instruction for the year

  • $435 per student pays for our kindergartners and fifth graders to receive individualized support from instructional assistants throughout the school year

  • $2,000 pays for one month for all of our kids and teachers to receive technology and keyboard training

 

There are many ways to help, including and beyond $$:

  1. Join the PTA to support Oxford with $10 in annual dues and votes on important issues.

  2. Volunteer on community building / fundraising events and more—contact the PTA for more info.

  3. Donate!

  4. Shop and give—send precious pennies Oxford’s way as you go about your regular routine.

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