BCE Frequently Asked Questions

This is public school. Why am I being asked to donate?
Quality school districts in California today are a public-private partnership because the state of California does not adequately fund public education. The bare-bones funding coming from the state is sub-standard in today's environment. The national average for per student public education funding is about $9,000. The states with the best schools spend upwards of $10,000 per student. Burlingame school district receives only $5,295 per student from the state. BCE was founded in 1981 to bridge the gap between state funding and the needs of our schools.

Why don't my property taxes cover the cost of my child's education?
California's school finance system evolved through a combination of court decisions, legislative actions, voter-approved initiatives (including Proposition 13), and government regulations. The result is a system in which school revenues are controlled at the state level. Our property taxes go to Sacramento and only 50 cents of every dollar comes back to our school district. The money our district receives from the state is insufficient to fund the quality, well-rounded education we all want for our children.

What does BCE raise money for and what does my school PTA raise money for?
BCE and PTAs raise money for different and complementary things. For example, BCE funds librarian salaries at each school and PTAs ensure that there are books in the library. Generally, BCE funds "staff" and PTAs fund "stuff".

I am not in a position to donate the suggested amount. What can I do?
The $500 per child is a suggested donation. All donations of any amount are important. Every child benefits and every donation counts. We would like 100% of our Burlingame school families to donate at the level that is right for them.

Also, you can volunteer your time for the annual BCE Dinner Dance & Auction, the Kitchen Tour, the Board of Directors and many other opportunities. Please contact the BCE site chair at your school and let them know you would like to get involved. Or e-mail , BCE Project Manager.

Who is involved in BCE?
BCE is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization. Parents, grandparents, teachers, administrators and local business people support BCE by donating time, goods, services and money.

The BCE Board of Directors consists of parents from each school, local business people, the Superintendent, an Administration representative, a PTA Council representative and a School Board representative.

How does BCE decide which programs to fund?
The decision about which programs to fund is determined by the BCE Board in conjunction with the District and the School Board. Currently, BCE funds salaries of Music teachers for grades 3-8, Physical Education teachers for grades K-5, and in partnership with the district, Librarians for grades K-8. These staff positions are no longer paid for by the state. In addition, BCE has raised money for media and technology at each of the school sites through Fund-A-Need at the annual BCE Dinner Dance & Auction.

Why does the state require physical education yet does not fund P.E. teachers for elementary schools?
The lack of tax revenue, created in part by Proposition 13, forced the state to make significant cuts to public education. During many rounds of budget cuts, the state eliminated funding for physical education teachers, as well as librarians and music programs. If we as a community did not raise money for physical education teachers, our elementary school classroom teachers would have to teach P.E. (There is no physical education training in teacher credential programs. Our P.E. teachers have additional training specifically in physical education, which includes health and nutrition.)

For more information on public school financing, visit EdSource Online.