A residential community in Western Massachusetts has established a nonprofit, tax-exempt foundation to raise money for public schools.
The Longmeadow Educational Assistance Program is being launched to support programs left underfunded following the adoption of Proposition 2, the 1980 property-tax limitation measure that has left school budgets operating at the same level as in 1979, according to Elizabeth A. Kittredge, a founder of the program.
While the district’s funds have not increased, costs for transportation are up 73 percent and there are 22 percent fewer teachers than there were four years ago, she said. According to Ms. Kittredge, the 3,000-student district has been forced to make cuts in purchasing new textbooks, and in art, music, and physical education programs. Foundation backers hope to raise $7,000 to $10,000 next year.
