Alameda Education Foundation

Step Up Background

Need more details about the campaign, the sponsors, and the school district?

Facts about the Step Up Campaign

Mission:

To raise public awareness about:

-the value of public education;

-what we’ll lose under the governor’s proposed budget; and

-the need for Alamedans to step up and support their schools.

Developed by:

-non-profit Alameda Education Foundation

-advertising agency Wrecking Ball, Inc.

Launch Date:

-March 18th, 2008

-3-6 pm

Launch location:

-Park Street (Alameda’s “downtown”)

-Webster Street

-Alameda Towne Centre (corner of Park and Otis)

Launch Events

From 3-6 pm, AUSD teachers, staff and students will stand in trash cans to publicize the motto: “Public education is Too Valuable to Throw Away.” Spokespeople and other sources will be available for interviews at the steps of AUSD headquarters (2200 Central Avenue, between Oak and Walnut) from 3-4 pm.

Other campaign events:

The Step Up Campaign also includes giant decals on the local garbage company’s trucks (Alameda County Industries) and residential garbage cans, as well as lawn signs throughout the city. Taglines on the trucks and garbage cans include:

School athletics are too valuable to throw away. Help keep students active in our schools;

Our coaches are too valuable to throw away. Help keep them in our schools.

Advanced placement classes are too valuable to throw away. help keep them in our schools.

Our children’s futures are too valuable to throw away. Help keep our schools thriving.

Music education is too valuable to throw away. Help keep it in our schools.

Campaign Cost:

All labor and materials int he Step Up campaign were donated.

Facts About the District

Number of students

10,000

Funding

AUSD receives the lowest BRL (or amount per student) of any district in Alameda County. If the district received as much per student as Dublin, it would get $9 million more in state funds each year.

Budget history

AUSD has cut $7.7 million from its budget over the last seven years, primarily due to state cutbacks and declining enrollment.

Performance

Despite this, AUSD schools have remained excellent, with ever-increasing API scores,silver and bronze rankings in national surveys, and numerous “Distinguished School” awards.

Current budget status

The governor’s proposed budget has resulted in AUSD needing to cut $4.5 million from its budget over the next two years. Those cuts will come from: eliminating high school sports; eliminating music education for first, second, and third graders; eliminating class size reduction for grades K-3 and 9; closing schools, reducing AP course options, and laying off teachers, administrators, custodial and maintenance workers, and clerical staff.

Contact Information

Alameda Education Foundation

Brooke Briggance

Executive Director

brooke@alamedaeducation.org

510-393-0024

Wrecking Ball Inc.

Kevin Lee

klee@wreckingball.net

510-267-9701