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Health & Fitness

KGES Raises over $80K but Hands 48% Back to Fundraiser

Tonight (Tuesday, October 8, 2013) at the Kent Gardens PTA meeting parents had their first opportunity to officially meet the school's new Principal - Mrs. Holly McGuigan - and McLean Mama found her to be warm, intelligent, and welcoming.  She officially starts her new job the Tuesday after Columbus Day weekend.  Haycock Elementary School's loss is Kent Gardens' good fortune!

Of course no person or school is perfect but McLean Mama believes the Kent Gardens Elementary School community is now in a better place knowing the selection process is over and Mrs. McGuigan can begin the process of helping to educate the next generation of leaders in our community.

Now, onto the Boosterathon.  Last Thursday KGES students ran their little hearts out and unofficially raised over $80,000 via pledges.  The school's PTA, however, will only recoup 52 percent of those earnings.  The rest will go to the entity that orchestrated the event and leveraged technology to collect pledges.  Tonight some parents  at the PTA meeting were shocked to discover AFTER THE FACT the high percentage earned by the fundraising entity.  They felt the PTA and Boosterathon did not fairly present in any of the documentation just how much - or how little - the school would actually collect at then end of the day.  In the FAQ form from the PTA regarding the Boosterathon there was no mention of the breakdown in the monies collected nor the large percentage that went back to the for-profit company that ran the event.  http://www.kentgardenspta.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/KG-Boosterthon-Fun-Run-FAQs.pdf

Rachel Simon, President of the Kent Gardens PTA, noted the percentage breakdown was typical of fundraisers of this kind to include those that sell wrapping paper, cookie dough or pre-made pizzas. However, she also asked the community to submit feedback via a survey to help guide the PTA in future years and whether or not they wanted to participate in another Boosterathon.  The survey has been sent out to Kent Gardens families but I would also appreciate your feedback on this blog.  

At the end of the day the school will bring in over $40,000 to the PTA.  But, are there ways to get a higher cut next year or get parents and families motivated to do a program on their own?  McLean Mama does not know the answer but she does know if the Boosterathon program comes back next year the PTA needs to ask for a higher percentage of the profits and drive a hard bargain!

Perhaps if the parents get jazzed up on Red Bull and Starbucks and run around in camp clothes they will be able to motivate the student body, too!

Seriously, what are your thoughts?  

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