FAQs

What is MVEF?

MVEF is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation led by parent volunteers founded in 1984 to maintain and enhance the quality of academics and enrichment in the 9 elementary and 2 middle schools in the Mountain View Whisman School District (MVWSD). Contributions are solicited from individuals, businesses and other foundations for the benefit of all MVWSD students. Its mission is to collaborate with the community to fund and nurture innovative and essential programs that foster a well-rounded education.

Who runs MVEF?

MVEF is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors, parents of students, community members, plus two part-time Executive Directors.

What does MVEF fund?

In all MVWSD Elementary Schools, MVEF funds:

Art and music instruction (delivered by CSMA instructors) plus performances and art shows for TK-5 students.
Hands-on environmental science enrichment for TK-5 students (Delivered by Living Classroom, Environmental Volunteers plus other partners)

In both MVWSD Middle Schools, MVEF funds:

Reduced class sizes (by an average of 25%) for English Language Arts (ELA) providing students more personalized attention and elective opportunities
After-school sports (coaches, referees, bus transportation to competitive games)
Hands-on environmental science enrichment for 6 grade students
Extra funding for music/performing arts, and other clubs and activities

What is PTA/PACT?

The Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) & PACT Foundation at Stevenson are formal organizations composed of parents, teachers, and staff that are intended to facilitate parental participation in a school.

PTA/PACTSs typically organize events, fundraisers, and other activities to support the school and enhance the educational experience of students.

What does PTA/PACT fund?

PTA/PACT (PACT at Stevenson) is 100% volunteer-led and volunteer-run. Members plan the programs they want to deliver during that school year, vote to approve each year's budget, fundraise, and execute the planned programs they are able to fund.
PTA fundraising results typically correlate with community demographics.
PTAs/PACT are not allowed to directly compensate school employees but MVEF can and does.
PTAs/PACT plan and deliver programs that are accessible to all students at a single school site, like:

Support for students and teachers
Events (Teacher & Staff appreciation, Graduation/Promotion celebrations, etc.)
Supplemental educational materials for special projects
Assemblies & Field Trips
Extracurricular activities

...and more!
See your school's PTA/PACT leaders for more info.

How do PTA/PACT and MVEF work together?

PTA/PACT is hyper-local and MVEF meets both school and district-wide needs. PTA/PACT and MVEF often volunteer for and donate to both, assisting both organizations.Please look here for more information.

What happens if MVEF does not reach its fundraising goals?

Cuts would be inevitable, and the impact to existing programs would be felt immediately in art & music programs, environmental science programs including field trips, reduced English classes, sports, clubs & other activities.

Why is an educational foundation necessary to fund public schools?

As a "basic aid" CA school district, MVWSD’s general operations are funded primarily by local property taxes (not state funding). Commercial property values don't increase if properties don't change owners (CA Prop 13). Therefore, districts like MVWSD with more commercial rental properties get less property tax revenue per housing unit, which means less revenue per student. The district's dominant revenue source has not been keeping pace with costs driven up by inflation, especially in this high cost area. This negatively impacts our students' education.

Private contributions to educational foundations therefore can and do provide supplemental funding to close the gap between public funding and the actual cost of a well-rounded education in many CA public school districts.

What is a "basic aid" district and why does it matter at my school?

While most California school districts receive general-purpose funds through a mixture of local property taxes and state aid, some districts receive funding exclusively from revenue generated by property tax. These school districts are known as “basic aid” or “community funded” districts.

MVWSD is designated as a “basic aid” district, and the cap in funding from Prop 13 limits the district’s capacity to provide adequate academic resources and support to students compared to other school districts with a more diverse funding pool.

Funds from property taxes and the government only address the basic three R's (reading, writing and arithmetic) and fail to provide students with an enriching, well rounded education. That's why MVEF is important and matters for MVWSD!

What is Prop 13 and how does it impact CA public education funding?

In 1978, California voters passed the People’s Initiative to Limit Property Taxation, commonly known as Proposition 13 (Prop 13), limiting annual property tax to 1% of the property’s assessed value which cannot increase more than 2% per year.

Prop 13, significantly impacts CA's public education funding by limiting property tax rates and restricting property tax revenue growth. Here’s how:

Reduced Property Tax Revenue – Prop 13 capped property tax rates at 1% of a property's assessed value and restricted annual assessment increases to a maximum of 2%, unless the property changes ownership. This dramatically reduced local property tax revenue, which had been a primary funding source for public schools.
Suppose you purchased a home for $1 million 5 years ago and its market value increased 20% to $1.2 million today. Then your Prop 13 value can only increase a maximum of 2% per year or, in this case, a maximum assessed tax of $1,104,080.80. This changes if you sell your home as it will be then reassessed at market value.
Increased State Control Over School Funding – Before Prop 13, local property taxes were the primary funding source for schools. After its passage, the state had to step in to compensate for lost revenue, leading to a more centralized funding system and less local control over school budgets.
Funding Inequities – Prop 13 led to disparities in school funding since wealthier districts with high property values could still generate more local revenue than poorer districts. The state’s efforts to equalize funding through formulas like the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) have helped but not entirely eliminated these gaps.
Struggles with School Maintenance & Improvement – Since Prop 13 made it harder to raise local taxes, school districts often struggle to fund school repairs, upgrades, and new construction. They rely heavily on voter-approved local bond measures/ parcel taxes, which require a supermajority (55% or two-thirds in some cases) to pass.
Long-Term Decline in Education Spending – Over the decades, CA has fallen behind other states in per-pupil spending, teacher salaries, and class sizes. While adjustments like Prop 98 (which mandates a minimum percentage of the state budget for education) have helped stabilize funding, challenges remain.

How is MVEF different from PTA/PACT?

MVEF is a volunteer-driven charitable foundation with the goal to raise over $1.2M from community organizations and families. MVEF funding provides essential enrichment programs that prepare all students in MVWSD for high school and beyond. How MVEF funding is used is determined through both community and district input. Unlike PTA funding, MVEF funds can be used to compensate school teachers and staff, and provide excellent programs across all schools and all grades.

How much should I donate to MVEF?

This year's goal is to raise over $1.2M from household donations plus corporate matching and grants. The "requested amount" (ask) for MVEF is $1,100 per student per year. This adjustment comes after six years without an increase and is necessary to continue providing the quality education and resources that our students deserve. Several factors have contributed to this decision: inflation, rising program costs, higher operational costs and the increasing pressure with reduced grants, especially in the corporate environment.

Why does MVEF fund music, arts, and sports programs rather than academic programs?

In consultation with parents, teachers and administrators, music and art, reduced English Language Arts classes, hands-on-science and afterschool sports (team work) consistently rank as some of the highest priorities for supplemental funding. These programs are part of a well-rounded education. MVEF strongly believes in providing programs that support the whole child and programs that would not be available to all children without MVEF.

Are donations tax-deductible?

Yes! MVEF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit which make your contributions to MVEF tax-deductible.

How does MVEF compare to neighboring educational foundations?

MVWSD is one of the most socio-economically diverse school districts in Santa Clara County. Compared with neighboring districts, Mountain View also serves a higher number of students living in high-density rental housing and a higher percentage of low-income families compared to neighboring districts. Despite these challenges, MVEF has doubled the amount raised for MVWSD in the past decade. Please take a look at our flyer.

What is Prop 28?

In Nov. 2022, CA passed Prop. 28, providing dedicated funding for arts education in public schools, especially for underserved communities. Funds can hire staff or buy supplies but must add to, not replace, existing programs.

Can Prop 28 monies be used to fund the programs that MVEF funds now, like CSMA art and music?

No! Schools cannot use Prop 28 to offset or replace existing funding commitments for arts programs. Prop 28 funds are meant to be additive, boosting overall investment in arts and music education.

Should parents stop contributing to MVEF since the district now has Prop 28?

No! Without parent donations to MVEF, critical funding for the current arts, music and hands-on experiences that our students have would disappear, putting these programs in serious risk.

What can Prop 28 funds be used for?

Schools can use Prop 28 funds to hire arts teachers, buy supplies, and expand programs, addressing gaps and community needs. Funds must allocate 80% to staff and 20% to materials, training, or contracts.

Can Prop 28 funds be used for after school programs? Lunchtime activities?

Yes! The district office anticipates that hiring arts teachers for after school programs and lunchtime activities will be a major expenditure area, since daytime schedules are already set and include existing art and music classes for all elementary students and electives for middle school students.

How much Prop 28 money does MVWSD get?

$625,000 annually to MVWSD schools, allocated based on total enrollment and Free and Reduced-Price Meals enrollment. With district support and coordination, each school will manage its allocation and Prop 28 plans.

Can the district hire CSMA to do more programs with our students?

It depends. The law requires that schools spend 80% on district-hired staff. CSMA is considered a contracted service, therefore can only be hired up to the 20% limit of a school’s total Prop 28 budget.

Can Prop 28 be used only for new arts/music providers?

Site administrators can choose to work with people and organizations with whom they already work or they can seek new staff/programs.

How will we know what our school spends Prop 28 funds on?

Prop 28 requires schools to report spending to ensure funds are used solely for arts and music education.

How soon will we see new arts/music programs at our schools?

California's Prop 28 programs will roll out gradually, depending on each school's planning and the availability of arts teachers.

How much is my school getting, and what can we afford to spend this amount on?

Your principal can share your school’s actual annual allocation. The funding might not go as far as you think.

For example, if a school with 350 students gets a $45,000 annual allocation:

* 80% ($36,000) goes towards hiring arts program staff, which might cover a teacher working a total of 8-12 hours a wee

* 20% ($9,000) can be used for arts-related supplies, training, or contracts. This could include purchasing a student violin ($500-$1,000), a laptop for graphic design ($1,000-$3,000+), materials for a theater set (over $5,000), or training for teachers in arts integration ($200-$1,000 per teacher).

MVWSD budget spending

Can donations made to be misused or spent on “unnecessary” expenditures?

MVEF is a parent led fundraising non-profit (similar to the PTA). MVEF does NOT manage the school district or MVWSD.
Donations made to MVEF are collected and then given to the MVWSD to pay for the programs MVEF supports.
These funds are "restricted," meaning they are designated for specific district programs.
While MVEF has no control over the overall MVWSD budget, it funds pre approved programs like CSMA arts and music, Living Classroom instruction, and two middle school ELA teachers. MVEF only provides enough funding to cover the cost of the programs its supports.
In the event if MVEF raises additional funds, it works with input from donors, board members and district staff to identify new or different areas to support.
Join the MVEF Board or come meet us at any of our events to learn more, we are a volunteer parent board!

Is MVEF at fault when the district is being accused of misspending?

No! The MVWSD budget is managed and supervised through a structured process involving district administration, the Board of Trustees, and oversight mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency. For more information check mvwsd.org/district_business/budget_and_bonds.
MVEF operates independently, managing its own funds under the supervision of its own Board.

Can MVEF influence the district spending?

MVEF is a parent led fundraising non-profit (similar to the PTA) to fund programs essential for a well-rounded education. MVEF does NOT manage the school district or MVWSD.
Donations made to MVEF are collected and then given to the MVWSD to pay for the programs MVEF supports.
MVEF only provides enough funding to cover the cost of the programs its supports. In the event if MVEF raises additional funds, it works with input from donors, board members and district staff to identify new or different areas to support.
Join the MVEF Board or come meet us at any of our events to learn more, we are a volunteer parent board!