Santa Barbara Education Foundation
About SBEF
The community education foundation for Santa Barbara, SBEF, raises funds and provides support services for a wide variety of programs serving the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Providing students with technology tools, playground equipment, music instruction and instruments are just a few of the ways SBEF has made sure SB students receive the first-class education they deserve.
SBEF serves close to 16,000 students in the Santa Barbara Unified School District. The district consists of 13 elementary schools within the city of Santa Barbara and 9 junior high and high schools throughout our community.
Fund Administration: SBEF serves as the fiscal sponsor for a wide variety of important school district projects that address core educational issues and generate generous grant funding for programs. Current programs include HIPPY Program, Youth Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, The Mobile Waterford English Competency Program, Parent Project, BRAVO!, Beyond Tolerance, and The Academy at Dos Pueblos High School.
Measures A and B: Four years ago voters in our community approved local funding for our students and classrooms (Measures H & I). Since then our schools have seen increases in student achievement from the programs these funds have supported: Math, science, computer/educational technologies, career skills for job readiness, music, art, theater and foreign languages. To continue improved student achievement, SBEF led the successful campaign for Measures A and B (November 2012) which will provide nearly $12 million over four years and serve over 15,000 students in elementary, junior high, and high school throughout Santa Barbara, Montecito, and Goleta.
Technology Funding: Working in conjunction with the school district to implement their technology plan, funding was secured for additional classrooms to be equipped with advanced technological teaching tools (iPad for the teacher, Apple TV, and a flat screen monitor). Newest classroom set-ups: Mrs. Payne’s 1st grade class at Adams Elementary – thanks to Cox Communications; Ms. Mavaro’s 5th grade class at McKinley Elementary – thanks to Mentor; Team Teachers Brian Malcheski’s 4th,5th & 6th grade class and Alex Tashma’s 6th, 7th and 8th grade class at Open Alternative School – thanks to Deckers; and Mrs. Herboldshimer’s Read 180 class at Monroe Elementary – thanks to Dr. Annie at SB Children’s Dental Practice and Santa Barbara Bank & Trust.
Measures Q and R: SBEF is proud to have led the marketing campaign for Measures Q & R, The voters overwhelmingly approved the authorization of $75,000,000 in general obligation bonds to be issued for the Santa Barbara secondary schools and $35,000,000 in general obligation bonds to be issued for the Santa Barbara elementary schools. These bonds will provide badly needed renovations at our schools in a fiscally responsible way. Our board members will continue to participate by sitting on the Oversight Committees. For more information on Q and R.
KTB: Instrumental to Self Esteem: Instrument Purchase Project ($272,500): 2007 to present: The Santa Barbara Education Foundation has raised nearly $273,000 toward our goal to help fund after-school bands and purchase over 569 musical instruments to be used by over 1,000 students in the Santa Barbara School Districts Elementary Music programs. For more information on Keep The Beat.
Measures H and I: (2008): SBEF led the 2008 marketing campaign for Measures. H & I which has brought over $6 million in funding to support of music, art, math, foreign language and science instruction in the schools. Our board members continue to participate by sitting on the Oversight Committees. For more information on H and I