Dear Friends and Families,
It’s time again for us to ask for your generosity in order for our school and programs to maintain and continue raising the level of excellence that our students and staff strive for in all areas. While we would like to avoid seeking financial support from our friends and families, our reality is that we need your help. Charter schools already operate on approximately 15% less funding than other schools because we have to pay for facility costs out of our operating budget. For us, that is approximately 20% of our budget that, in other public schools, is paid for by local taxes. Additionally, as you have seen in the media and heard from us, the level of funding in all schools has decreased dramatically over the last few years, and will continue to decrease at least into the near future.
In spite of these financial challenges, our school has maintained our focus on excellence in character and academics. With this continued focus, we have continued to achieve at the highest levels. All of our schools were again named John Irwin School’s of Excellence this year for being in the top 8% of all schools in Colorado. Our high school was THE top performing school in Colorado for the fifth consecutive year. Athletics and the arts are also an important part of our overall program, and we have had significant and growing success at the state and local level in these areas as well. |
Your support has been key in the past in maintaining our level of excellence, and it is even more important this year. The financial challenges named above have had serious consequences for our staff-members, who have had their pay frozen for two of the last three years. It is the people who are responsible for the success of any organization, and our staff is the best anywhere. Their dedication to our students, our mission, and our curriculum has built our long track record of success. Therefore, in support of them, all funds raised though the Lend a Hand Campaign will go toward improving their pay.
Given the importance of this cause, we have set the bar high this year, with a goal of raising $100,000. Toward that end, we have made giving even easier: you may mail in a donation, drop it off at the front desk of any building, or click here to make an online donation.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our efforts to maintain excellence at Cheyenne Mountain Charter Academy and The Vanguard School.
Colin T. Mullaney
Executive Director
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Current Status
(As Of: May 7, 2012)
150 Families Participating To Date(Goal: 50% of Families)
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