This is an important time of year for Springwater, because we are recruiting new students for the 2009-10 school year.  We need healthy wait lists for every grade, not only to make sure that we are able to keep our classes full (which directly affects our funding), but also to demonstrate the continued viability of our school when we apply for grants, when we seek charter renewal, and when we attempt to move forward with our new construction project.  Because enrollment is tied directly to our primary source of funding, keeping classes full is one of our top priorities.

Advertising for Springwater is not easy; mailers are expensive, difficult to target, and don't support our goal of sustainable practices, and advertising in publications doesn't always reach our target audience.  We know that there are many families in Oregon City (and beyond) who would be interested in Springwater, but it is difficult to find effective ways to let them know that we are here!  

Now,  through a connection facilitated by one of our parents, we are able to use the "biggest" advertising mechanism available - a billboard on I-205.  Because the billboard is currently not being used, we can craft a public service message in conjunction with our Springwater logo, and get to use the billboard for a fraction of what it would typically cost.  This is just one more example of how our parent volunteers make all the difference, in every aspect of Springwater's operation.

So, keep your eyes open as you're driving on I-205, and help us spread the word about our wonderful school!

Springwater’s initial charter was approved for the 06-07, 07-08, and 08-09 school years. This past month, we went through our first renewal process and secured approval from the Oregon City School Board for another three-year charter contract, for school years 09-10, 10-11, and 11-12.The process of renewal required Springwater to submit extensive information and data to demonstrate that we have met the five criteria, set out in state statute, for renewal: 

As many of you know, the Governor has reduced the per pupil dollars being allocated to all Oregon schools, effective November 2008.  This impacts Springwater, as well.  The vast majority of our funding comes from the per pupil dollars we receive from the State, just like all other public schools in Oregon.  However, because we are a charter school, we only receive 80% of the dollars per pupil that every other public school receives.

 Prior to the Governor's reductions, the per pupil allocation was $6074, and the amount we actually received per student (80% of $6074) was $4859.  As of November, the per pupil allocation has been reduced to $5963, and the amount we actually will receive per student (80% of $5963) is now $4770.  The result is a loss of over $13,000, and the Governor has indicated the per pupil rate will most likely be cut again in February.