It’s Fundamental: Measure W for Davis Schools
September 26th, 2008 Categories: Davis Schools, Davis Schools Foundation
Most real-estate related calls I get are from people hoping to put their children in Davis schools. However, it is not a given that our schools will thrive. Davisites will not soon forget the intense effort last spring to overcome threats to our schools due to budget shortfalls. Janet Berry led the “dollar a day” campaign on behalf of the Davis Schools Foundation to save nearly 100 cuts of Davis teachers. Over $1.7 million was raised and we avoided the impending cuts. FOR A YEAR…. And then what?
One donation was $100k from a single person…unlikely that we can continue to raise this kind of money in a grassroots effort year after year. Enter Measure W. Every dollar will be used to directly support:
1. Elementary Science Education
2. School Librarians
3. Music teacher at all levels
4. Secondary courses in English, Math, Science, Physical Education and Foreign
Languages
5. Lower class sizes in 9th and 10th grades
6. Athletics and co-cirricular activities such as drama and journalism
Measure W will do this by collecting $120 from each household for the next 3 years. Households headed by a senior over 65 will not be taxed. Apartments and multi-unit buildings will be assessed at $50/year. Proceeds of $2.4 million /year for the next three years will NOT be used to fund administration or create new programs - it will be managed by an oversight committee comprised of indepedent citizens.
In this time of great uncertainty what could be more important than making sure that all of our children - collectively - have an opportunity for a good education? Is it too much to ask that we participate a little more so that our children will know what they need to lead rich and informed lives?
So, what to do? First off, we need a 2/3 majority on election day! Let your friends, family, neighbors, colleagues know how important this is and urge them to vote. Want to do more?
1. Volunteer to call voters
2. Walk your neighborhood and knock on doors or hang a door hanger
3. Put up a yard sign
4. Send money to help with the campaign
Go to http://www.yesforourstudents.org/what for details on how to keep our Davis schools as good as they can be - for your children, for our future, yes, even for your property value. Thanks.
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1st Annual Central Davis Walking Tour Great Success!
June 12th, 2008 Categories: Amusement, Davis CA Real Estate, Davis Fun to Do, Davis Schools, Davis Schools Foundation
THANKS to all who came out to see 10 central Davis homes on our walking tour last Sunday. I was worried that people were tired of being asked for donations, that the weather would be too hot, but apparently you wanted it! The tour was a big draw and we were able to raise $2230 to donate to the Davis School Arts Foundation.
10 families were very generous to open their very interesting homes, and at least one of the families who declined the opportunity called right after the walk to heartily volunteer their home for next year. We had a request to include Old Willowbank next year, and that is the plan.
This would not have been possible without the relentless persistence and hard work of Joy Klineberg. I am taking bets that Joy will be Davis Person of the Year within the next 3 years. She has taken our town by storm! Thanks, Joy.
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Invitation to See a Few Good Homes in America’s #3 Friendliest Place to Live
May 30th, 2008 Categories: Davis CA Real Estate, Davis Fun to Do, Davis Schools, Davis Schools Foundation, RE Week in Review, Real Estate News
Sunday June 8, 1-4 pm, Start at 764 Elmwood Drive…
My amazingly energetic client and friend Joy Klineberg had a great idea - a walking home tour of a few homes on some of our favorite Davis streets. The people of Davis have given hugely this spring to the Davis Schools Foundation and we made national news for saving 20 teacher’s jobs, so it feels like an unwelcome tug to ask once again. However, some of the important smaller organizations are struggling for funding that has been redirected to the Schools Foundation. Joy is raising money to help the coffers of the Davis School Arts Foundation , and Ciana Wallace and I are sponsoring her. Hope you can come out for a funky Davis-style tour! Call (530.574.0596) or email (jamiebmadison@msn.com) if you have questions.
In case you missed it, the Today Show had a segment this week on the 5 Friendliest places in the US to live….yup, Davis came in number 3!
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Philanthropy at Work: Saving our Schools $1 at a Time
April 30th, 2008 Categories: Davis CA Real Estate, Davis Schools, Davis Schools Foundation, Real Estate News
Davis, known for its excellent, high ranking has been hit with financial cuts from several sides:
1. The Governor of California has cut support for schools
2. Due to fewer home sales, income from taxes has slowed
3. We don’t have as many children as we used to have - state income is on a per/child basis
Leave it to the citizens of our town to band together. There has been a tremendous outpouring of energy and money to support the focused and organized effort of the Davis Schools Foundation. The primary effort centers around the Dollar-A-Day campaign that asks every citizen to donate $1/day or $365 for the coming year. By raising $4million the foundation can spare libraries, counselors, school staff, elementary science and arts programs and more for the coming year. To date, over $806,000 has been raised.
Not only children and parents of Davis, but small business owners are giving generously and continue to sponsor in events. Events include a celebrity waiter dinner, all schools rally, a downtown festival called Schoolapalooza, BBQs, wine tastings, golf days and more. I have joined with a client, shop owner (Five Figs) and another agent to sponsor a central Davis walking home tour coming June 8.
Coldwell Banker Agents and Management have pledged $10,000 which will be delivered to the foundation shortly.
Our schools are an important part of the value of Davis. It is amazing to see the efforts and involvement of the entire community to protect this valuable asset, and makes me feel more proud than ever to be a part of our town.
-Jamie Madison
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