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INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. — The nonprofit group dedicated to raising money to fund teacher allocations necessary for the implementation of International Baccalaureate in Incline's public schools is only halfway to its goal with a little more than a month left before the school district's established deadline.
Nancy Porten, marketing director for International Baccalaureate Incline Vil lage, confirmed this week the organization has raised $75,000 — $50,000 of it being firm money in the bank, with the additional $25,000 in “very firm” pledg es.
During a presentation in early August of this year, JJ Mueller, finance and ac counting director for IBIV, said the nonprofit had raised $135,000 “in terms of dollars in the bank and pledges.”
However, Porten said in a Tuesday in terview the economy at large hindered people's ability to donate to the organization.
“We are concerned about meeting the $150,000,” she said. “But we are looking forward, and we are going to redouble our efforts. We want the best schools possible, and we believe we can rally the com munity.”
According to a Sept. 19, 2010, written understanding between the Washoe County School District and IBIV, the nonprofit must reimburse the district to the tune of $150,000 by Dec. 31, 2010. The money will pay for 2.5 teacher allocations — two Spanish teachers and one part-time IB coordinator.
Earlier this year, the school district budgeted the money to fund the positions for the current 2010-11 school year.
In a Wednesday phone interview, WCSD Deputy Superintendent Pedro Martinez said he was “a bit surprised” when he heard IBIV was halfway to the end-of-year goal.
He said it is understandable considering the diffi culties of raising money in the current economic climate.
“Given the nature of the national economy, I was not completely surprised,” he said.
According to the written understanding, it will cost an additional $300,000 ($150,000 in 2011-12 and again in 2012-13) to maintain the positions and allow the schools to successfully implement IB.
When asked if the district is prepared to cover deficits with taxpayer money should IBIV fall short of its goal, Martinez said the district will wait and see.
“We really don't know at this point what will happen,” he said. “The Incline community has been really generous. The community raised over $67,000 for a PE teacher (during the Jog-A-Thon event) and that was with a lot of confusion and negativity swirling.
“We don't want to underestimate IBIV at this point.”
According to the agreement, “ ... if the district is not able to follow through on the implementation of IB for any reason during that school year, funds will then be returned to IBIV. This includes the understanding that if the money cannot be raised by IB to the predetermined amount, the district will have the right to modify or eliminate IB at Incline Village as deemed necessary by the district at its sole discretion.”
When asked if the district currently is considering alternatives, Martinez reiterated the district is prepared to wait until December and address the issue then.
Martinez expressed confidence in IBIV.
“They are a good group and we have worked well with them,” he said.
The goal of International Baccalaureate is to “successfully develop a higher institute of learning which will enable Incline Village to obtain and retain possession as being one of the top K-12 programs in the country,” according to the agreement.
The agreement goes on to say: “The ultimate goal is to place Incline Village into the realm of having one of the top educational systems within the country. With the help and understanding of the local community within Incline Village, the school system, along with IBIV, has the opportunity to improve the quality educational system beyond the reach that is currently has today.”
Nancy Porten, marketing director for International Baccalaureate Incline Vil lage, confirmed this week the organization has raised $75,000 — $50,000 of it being firm money in the bank, with the additional $25,000 in “very firm” pledg es.
During a presentation in early August of this year, JJ Mueller, finance and ac counting director for IBIV, said the nonprofit had raised $135,000 “in terms of dollars in the bank and pledges.”
However, Porten said in a Tuesday in terview the economy at large hindered people's ability to donate to the organization.
“We are concerned about meeting the $150,000,” she said. “But we are looking forward, and we are going to redouble our efforts. We want the best schools possible, and we believe we can rally the com munity.”
According to a Sept. 19, 2010, written understanding between the Washoe County School District and IBIV, the nonprofit must reimburse the district to the tune of $150,000 by Dec. 31, 2010. The money will pay for 2.5 teacher allocations — two Spanish teachers and one part-time IB coordinator.
Earlier this year, the school district budgeted the money to fund the positions for the current 2010-11 school year.
In a Wednesday phone interview, WCSD Deputy Superintendent Pedro Martinez said he was “a bit surprised” when he heard IBIV was halfway to the end-of-year goal.
He said it is understandable considering the diffi culties of raising money in the current economic climate.
“Given the nature of the national economy, I was not completely surprised,” he said.
According to the written understanding, it will cost an additional $300,000 ($150,000 in 2011-12 and again in 2012-13) to maintain the positions and allow the schools to successfully implement IB.
When asked if the district is prepared to cover deficits with taxpayer money should IBIV fall short of its goal, Martinez said the district will wait and see.
“We really don't know at this point what will happen,” he said. “The Incline community has been really generous. The community raised over $67,000 for a PE teacher (during the Jog-A-Thon event) and that was with a lot of confusion and negativity swirling.
“We don't want to underestimate IBIV at this point.”
According to the agreement, “ ... if the district is not able to follow through on the implementation of IB for any reason during that school year, funds will then be returned to IBIV. This includes the understanding that if the money cannot be raised by IB to the predetermined amount, the district will have the right to modify or eliminate IB at Incline Village as deemed necessary by the district at its sole discretion.”
When asked if the district currently is considering alternatives, Martinez reiterated the district is prepared to wait until December and address the issue then.
Martinez expressed confidence in IBIV.
“They are a good group and we have worked well with them,” he said.
The goal of International Baccalaureate is to “successfully develop a higher institute of learning which will enable Incline Village to obtain and retain possession as being one of the top K-12 programs in the country,” according to the agreement.
The agreement goes on to say: “The ultimate goal is to place Incline Village into the realm of having one of the top educational systems within the country. With the help and understanding of the local community within Incline Village, the school system, along with IBIV, has the opportunity to improve the quality educational system beyond the reach that is currently has today.”
