Frequently Asked Questions

Why has a new WLWV School Foundation been formed?

During the past two school years, the WLWV school district has faced considerable funding gaps that have led to significant educator cuts in schools throughout the district. The West Linn-Wilsonville School Foundation was started in this difficult financial climate as a district-wide private organization dedicated to securing the best education for our students. Aside from a levy, a district-wide, non-profit foundation is the only option to directly fund additional educators for our school district (which individual school parent organizations cannot do). The foundation is designed to be a permanent source of private funding for our schools—working year after year, regardless of budget surplus or deficit. Our mission is to empower every student by bridging funding gaps, supporting educators, and ensuring every student has the tools to succeed. We exist so our community can directly invest in a stronger future for every student. 

 

Can I give a financial donation now to the foundation?

 

Yes, the IRS determined the West Linn Wilsonville School Foundation is exempt from federal in come tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Donors can deduct contributions for the Foundation under IRC Section 170. You can make a donation now via our online portal HERE or contact us at wlwvschoolfoundation@gmail.com to discuss other giving options.

 

If I don’t currently have a financial donation to give to the foundation, how can I help?

 

There are many other ways to help the foundation. You can sign up for updates regarding the Foundation HERE, follow us on social media (facebook or instagram), and share Foundation updates on your social media. There will also be opportunities in the future to donate your time to Foundation events (sign up for our email list above or subscribe to our social media channels to be notified of opportunities). If you have any associations with organizations that might be interested in making a corporate donation, please contact us at wlwvschoolfoundation@gmail.com.

 

What will the WLWV School Foundation fund?

 

The WLWV School Foundation will fund additional or current educators for schools in the WLWV School District beyond what the District currently provides. The Foundation’s allocations will change pursuant to individual school and WLWV District needs. 

 

How do you define an educator?

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Based on our mission, the Foundation defines an educator as anyone with direct interaction with a child. This could include classroom teachers, specialists (language, PE, literacy specialists, music, librarians, etc.), counselors, and paraeducators.

 

What is the relationship between the Foundation and the WLWV School District?

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The WLWV School Foundation is a completely independent organization and is not affiliated with the WLWV School District. It was established by a group of parents to help ensure that every student in the district has access to a high-quality education and essential resources.

The Foundation independently determines which educator positions to fund, while thoughtfully considering a broad range of input and data on District needs. The money raised by the Foundation will be provided to the WLWV School District and subsequently allocated pursuant to the Foundation’s discretion.

How will the money from the Foundation be distributed?

 

The Foundation will ensure that all the money donated is used for staff retention or adding more educators to our District. The Foundation will determine allocation of funds by gathering community feedback, while simultaneously partnering with the WLWV School District and the West Linn-Wilsonville Education Association (WWEA). The money raised by the Foundation will be provided to the WLWV School District and subsequently allocated pursuant to the Foundation’s discretion.

 

Does the WLWV School Foundation represent parents across the district?

 

Yes! The Foundation requires equitable representation from West Linn and Wilsonville. The Foundation also tries to acquire Board members and volunteers from as many WLWV schools as possible. The Foundation’s executive board is evenly split between parents from Wilsonville and West Linn. The 13 Board members represent 12 of the 16 schools in the WLWV school district, including 8 or the 9 primary schools in the district and at least one middle and high school from West Linn and Wilsonville. 

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What’s creating the District’s current funding gaps?

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The District’s budget shortfalls stem largely from structural factors in how Oregon’s public schools are funded and local enrollment trends:

1. Declining Enrollment Reduces State Funding

Oregon school funding is largely based on a per-student allocation from the State School Fund. As enrollment falls, so does the amount the state provides. Recent forecasts project significantly declining enrollment over the next decade, which directly reduces revenue.

2. Rising Operational Costs

Costs for salaries, benefits, utilities, insurance, materials, and other operating expenses have continued to rise. Without corresponding increases in state funding, the gap between what it costs to deliver services and what the District receives grows each year.

3. State Funding Isn’t Keeping Pace with Costs

Even with the Local Option Levy supplementing funding, state school funding levels have not fully kept pace with inflation and rising costs, especially for districts like West Linn-Wilsonville, which face higher operating costs. The levy fills part of this gap but does not eliminate the underlying structural shortfall.

4. Limits on Revenue Sources

The District cannot use bond or capital levy funds for daily operations (like teacher salaries or utilities). Accordingly, passing capital bonds does not ease the operational funding shortfall. The District will inevitably cut staffing and programs if expenditures exceed revenue.

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Wasn’t the 2023 Local Option Levy designed to maintain programs and staffing levels?

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Yes, the intent of the 2023 Local Option Levy was to maintain programs and staffing levels. The Local Option Levy was put to voters in November 2023 as a renewal to supplement state funding so the District could keep approximately 90 teachers, counselors, and support staff on payroll. It was explicitly intended to help maintain class sizes, preserve staffing levels, and sustain programs at their current levels. In short, its purpose was to fill the gap between the state’s per-student funding and the amount the District needed to sustain the instructional and support capacity the community expected.

While the Local Option Levy aimed to maintain programs and staffing, it did not create new revenue beyond what was necessary to sustain current operations. It was designed as a renewal and continuation of existing services.

What is the difference between the Foundation and school-based parent organizations?

In WLWV, the Foundation, PTAs, and bond measures each play a distinct and important role in supporting our schools.

• PTAs fund programs, classroom enhancements, and experiences that directly benefit individual schools and cannot fund teachers.

• Bond measures fund school facilities maintenance, buildings, technology, and major infrastructure projects.

• The WLWV School Foundation focuses on funding people—specifically teachers and educator positions—across the District.

 

Does Foundation money go to school buildings?

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Foundation funds do not go to buildings. Rather, the Foundation’s funds are used to support staff retention or additional educators beyond what the District budget can provide, helping to ensure students have the staffing and support they need to succeed.

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How do I apply to become a foundation Board member?

 

The Foundation’s Board of Directors is currently full, but we will announce future openings for Board members via our email list and social media. If you would like updates on Board vacancies, please sign up for updates here via email and here via Facebook. Community members interested in future Board openings can also email us at wlwvschoolfoundation@gmail.com to share any special skills you can contribute to the Foundation. We will keep you posted on future openings when the time arrives.  

 

Are Foundation Board positions paid or unpaid?

 

Foundation Board positions are unpaid and are on a volunteer basis only. The Foundation has no paid employees and all activities are conducted solely by volunteers. 

 

Can I earmark my donation for a specific school?

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No, your gift to the Foundation benefits every school, ensuring equity within the District.

 

How can I contact the Foundation about fundraising ideas or thoughts on what the Foundation could fund?

 

We would love to hear from you! Almost every WLWV school parent organization has a Foundation liaison who would welcome your thoughts, and who can pass along your ideas directly to the Foundation. Please reach out to your school’s parent organization to get contact information for your school’s Foundation-parent organization representative. You can also contact us via our email address: wlwvschoolfoundation@gmail.com.