We recently met with Laura Pitts, Taylor Beveridge, and Jennifer Monroe from the Carlsbad Education Foundation (CEF) to discuss their mission, challenges, and the impact of CCF’s support on local education initiatives.
Bridging the Gap in Public Education
Since the 1980s, the Carlsbad Education Foundation has supported the Carlsbad Unified School District by providing private funds for public education. Focusing on district-wide programming in music, STEAM, and educational innovation, CEF aims to ensure equity across all schools in the district.
Laura Pitts highlighted a significant achievement: “This year, we are funding full-time music teachers at all nine elementary schools. It’s the first time in over 20 years that this has happened.” This milestone underscores CEF’s commitment to arts education and collaborative efforts with the district.
Overcoming Funding Challenges
Despite Carlsbad’s affluent image, the school district faces significant funding challenges. “We are the second lowest funded unified school district in San Diego County for per pupil funding,” Pitts explained. This funding gap makes the work of CEF and support from organizations like CCF crucial.
Taylor Beveridge emphasized their impact: “This year, we granted 1.5 million in district-wide grants.” While this may seem modest compared to the overall district budget, it significantly affects specific areas. For instance, in middle school science, the state provides about 60 cents per student, while CEF contributes $12 per student, enabling hands-on learning experiences.
Empowering Student Voices: Nobody Knows Voices Unmuted
One of the CCF-supported programs is “Nobody Knows Voices Unmuted.” This project brings together students from English, theater, music, and choir classes to explore and express their personal American dreams through writing and performance.
“This program doesn’t happen without additional funding, and you guys are making that happen,” Beveridge said, expressing gratitude for CCF’s support. The project is expected to involve about 60 students directly, with performances reaching the entire student body and the broader Carlsbad community.
Looking to the Future
As CEF develops its strategic plan, it focuses on evaluating its programs’ impact and exploring new areas like career pathways and CTE (Career Technical Education). Beveridge also emphasized the importance of community partnerships: “The real partnerships happen when we’re getting these organizations involved in our student programming.”
Jennifer Monroe highlighted the importance of marketing and community outreach efforts to raise awareness about CEF’s initiatives and the vital role of community support.
The Impact of Community Support
The Carlsbad Education Foundation’s work underscores the importance of community support in enhancing public education. Through partnerships with organizations like the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, CEF provides additional resources that elevate the educational experience from good to exceptional.
Pitts noted, “The community is built on the school district. People move here because they know their kids will get a great education.” By supporting CEF, the Carlsbad Charitable Foundation is investing in the future of Carlsbad and empowering the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and innovators.
This year, we are funding full-time music teachers at all nine elementary schools. It’s the first time in over 20 years that this has happened.
Laura Pitts
Carlsbad Education Foundation