Mount Shasta Education Foundation: Citizen Collective Provides Vital Support to Local Schools

Funding for schools in California has been steadily decreasing since Proposition 13 took effect in 1978. But recent drastic federal cuts to school funding have had a devastating impact on schools throughout the nation. Rural schools, like those in Mount Shasta that receive local funds from a very small tax base, have been hit particularly hard.

Founded in 1995 by Mount Shasta parents, the Mount Shasta Education Foundation (MSEF) serves Mount Shasta Elementary, Sisson School and Mount Shasta High to ensure Mt Shasta students have every opportunity for enrichment, projects and equipment. MSEF is a community effort that works in close collaboration with the incredible teachers and community of Mount Shasta.

“Mount Shasta is such a magical place to live,” says board member Chelsea Pritchard, who expresses her passion that the community of Mount Shasta allows its children to be raised close to nature. “I am an MSEF board member because I want to make a good educational experience for our children.”

Working collectively makes a larger impact

“We serve the elementary school, middle school and high school as one, even though the high school is technically a separate district,” says board member Megan O’Brien. “We bring the principals together to talk about their collective needs. We are trying to solve for enrichment and food security and ultimately serve Mount Shasta students.”

Run entirely by dedicated community volunteers, MSEF has funded everything from field trips to computers, library books and science lab equipment to musical instruments. “I joined MSEF because I wanted to help the students and help the schools, but I couldn’t donate as much money as we can raise together as a collective,” says board member Josette Fugitt. “Putting my energy into the foundation has been very fulfilling; seeing my children go on field trips we funded or seeing the books in the library we purchased. It’s rewarding seeing the teachers have a little bit of relief not having to dig into their pockets to fund things that they want to do. If we can ease that burden that’s what we’re all about.”

MSEF pivots to meet changing student and teacher needs

“We are always struggling to fund school programs and enrichment,” Jessma Evans, board President said. “But now, with the drastic federal cuts, we are looking at having to step in this year to fund the basics that are threatened by these cuts.” Whereas in previous years MSEF has been able to fund additional programing and enrichment, “it’s now a balance of providing enrichment and being there as a backstop.”

Community support enriches everyone

As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. But the subtext of that statement is that the village is strengthened and made resilient by the children it nurtures and cares for and is enriched by the very act of caring. Keenly aware of the profound benefits for all of involving community in supporting children’s education, MSEF has worked with community members and local businesses since 1996 to present their popular annual Gala fundraiser.

This year, they are off to the races with the gala theme The Kentucky Derby. To be held Nov. 8 at the Siskiyou Masonic Lodge, 629 Alder St, Mt Shasta, the gala will include a delicious catered dinner, beautiful music provided by local school music students, an exciting live auction featuring tempting packages, many from local businesses, and a silent auction stuffed with beautiful gift baskets, gift cards and much more.

“We reach out to businesses, especially new businesses in town for donations,” Jessma says, “so the gala not only benefits our organization but benefits the community by highlighting these businesses at the gala and in pre and post gala communications and marketing.”

To purchase gala tickets, donate an auction item, learn more about MSEF or make a monetary donation to fund Mount Shasta children’s future success, go to mtshastaeducationfoundation.org

Writer bio: Writer bio: Stacey is grateful to all the parents who supported her son’s band program, raising money to purchase uniforms and instruments and to pay for travel. It made all the difference, allowing this small town school band to compete and win in state-wide competitions and providing a rich experience for all the students involved.

A handful of the hundreds of programs, projects and equipment purchases, in addition to student food security, funded by the Mount Shasta Education Foundation just since 2018.

Mount Shasta Elementary

• Supplies to transform a portable building into a science classroom at Mt. Shasta Elementary
• Peaceful Playground equipment
• MSE library books
• Supplemental leveled readers and Zoophonics puppets for Kindergarten classes
• Leveled intervention books for first grade
• Leveled books for the MSE intervention program for Title I and special education students (grades 1-3)
• Eight Netbooks for use in third grade small-group centers
• Books for the Mt. Shasta Elementary Library
• Two hand drums and instructional material for K-3 music and choir
• Leveled intervention books for second grade basic and below-basic readers
• Hands-on learning materials for Kindergarten students

​ Sisson School

• 12 new wind instruments for the music program
• Sewing machine, seating stools, and supplies for the Makerspace
• 9’ x 17’ greenhouse structure for plants and science lab
• 20 Calculators for the Resource Program
• 5 Neo laptops for grade 4
• 12 document cameras, one for each Sisson classroom
• Books for Sisson Library
• 34 computers for the Sisson Computer Lab
• 6 laptops for the mobile computer lab

Mount Shasta High School

• Copier, toner, and paper for student and staff use in the library at Mt. Shasta High School
• MSHS library books
• AP Biology lesson plans and lab kits
• Teacher laptop for class instruction in business/accounting
• Exercise mats for PE
• Portable lighting system for Drama
• Science equipment including electronic balances and lab kits
• Refurbish/repair 12 musical instruments for MSHS Music program
• Mortise machine for Wood Shop