A History of Community Support for Education

The Piedmont Educational Foundation (PEF) has a rich history of supporting our public schools in Piedmont. Some of PEF’s highlights and accomplishments follow.

1975

On December 10, 1975, the original Articles of Incorporation were signed by Nancy Bates, Helen Breck, Helen Buttner, C. Lee Emerson, Albert F. Fliegner, Raymond D. Harper, Superintendent William H. Knight, Irving Loube, Margaret McIvor, Walter F. Pettit, John R. Shuman, and Ann Milton Wallis.

The Piedmont Educational Foundation was established to provide an organization outside the District to raise money and solicit donations for new and improved educational opportunities for Piedmont students. Early grants were made for enrichment items, such as a Teletype receiver and landscaping at the new Middle School.

1980

Beginning in 1981, three years after the passage of Proposition 13, the Piedmont Educational Foundation (PEF) broadened its charge and ran large-scale community campaigns to underwrite over $1.5 million of the District’s budget over a period of three years. Cameron Wolfe, Jr. chaired two of these highly successful “Citizens for Piedmont Schools” Campaigns.

Wendy Webster and a group of forward thinking citizens presented the idea of a Thrift Shop to the Piedmont Educational Foundation Directors. Dress Best for Less was established in 1982, and with its dedicated volunteers, has provided a significant source of annual income to the schools, via PEF ever since.

1985

To sustain community support for the schools, the Piedmont Educational Foundation and key community members educated the public on the need to levy a parcel tax. The first school parcel tax was passed with the necessary two-thirds majority vote in 1985.

In 1987, Piedmont parent Ann Chandler approached PEF with an idea to produce an All-School Directory. The Directory is still published annually by the Foundation.

In 1989, PEF established an Endowment Fund to ensure continuous financial support for the schools. In that same year, the second school parcel tax was passed.

1990

In 1991, the Piedmont Educational Foundation pledged $70,000 to the District to fund the State’s revenue shortfall, preventing significant program and personnel cuts.

Enrollment at the Piedmont High School was at an all-time low of 540 students. PEF funded several foreign language and music classes, in order to keep sequences of college preparatory programs in place in spite of the low enrollment.

In 1993, the third parcel tax was passed, followed by the successful passage of the Bond Measure for School Construction in 1994.

1995

On June 30, 1995, the “Equipment for Education” Campaign to equip and furnish new and remodeled rooms at each school was completed. Under the leadership of Campaign Chair Susan Hill, $378,000 was raised, aided by pledges from parent clubs and individuals.

In the same year, the Piedmont Educational Foundation provided funding for a District Technology Plan. In 1996, the Supplemental Bond Measure passed providing funds for Internet wiring at all schools. PEF then paid for a District Technology Coordinator to implement the Technology Plan.

The fourth school parcel tax was passed in 1997 and increased to fund facilities’ growth and technology use in the schools.

2000

Board member Eileen Ruby took on the leadership role of developing the campaign to build a five million dollar Endowment Fund to help secure a stable source of unrestricted income to the School District in perpetuity.

Then Assistant Superintendent for Business Services, Constance Hubbard, formed the District Budget Advisory Committee to provide input to the Board of Education during the budget development process. The Committee is comprised of representatives of the Piedmont Educational Foundation, other support groups, and representatives from teachers, staff and community.

In 2001 the fifth school parcel tax was passed. PEF invests in computer software and hardware to centralize and improve automated processing of gifts for PEF and the Associated Parent Clubs’ of Piedmont fundraising efforts. Working side by side, the Piedmont Educational Foundation and the Associated Parent Clubs of Piedmont join forces to help the PUSD fund its top educational priorities and provide a quality education for our children K-12.

Today

PEF continues its commitment to our mission of championing innovation and supporting academic excellence. Working closely with our schools, the PEF Board shares a common goal of helping keep our public school system exemplary and one of the best in the State. See How You Can Help make a difference in our schools.