LONGMEADOW EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION Mission Statement The mission of LEEF is to create and maintain a fund that provides grants for innovative education and enrichment programs beyond the tax-supported budget for the benefit of the Longmeadow Public School students. The foundation is an autonomous, long-term institution that strives to ensure the excellence of the Longmeadow Public Schools and promotes a proprietary sense of ownership and pride within the community.
What is LEEF's Purpose?
LEEF provides grants to our teachers to implement innovative educational and enrichment programs.
Why Do We Need an Educational Foundation?
- Our teachers and students are our greatest assets. The foundation is a resource to fund new and innovative programs to enrich educational opportunities.
- Proposition 2 ½ is a state law limiting annual property tax increases to 2½ %, thus forcing limitations on school budget increases.
- Longmeadow's tax base is predominately residential and there are few lots available for further development, thus preventing any increases in our available tax base.
- Longmeadow's cost per pupil spending is $217 less than the state average:
($7,233 vs. $7,450) and between $1,100 and $2,500 below similar towns such as:
Amherst ($ 8,987), Newton($9,471) and, Lenox ($9,270).- Currently, there are over 40 educational foundations like LEEF in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts operating successfully for an average of 8-10 years.
Why is LEEF an Autonomous Organization?
- LEEF provides private support intended to ENHANCE the excellence of the Longmeadow school system. It will not SUPPLANT public funding.
- LEEF is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501-C-3 non-political entity governed by an independent board of directors; not the school committee or school department.
How Are the Funds Utilized?
- Grants are used to restore and enrich the educational opportunities of Longmeadow Public Schools.
- LEEF will support programs that encourage a love of learning, curiosity, creativity, and thinking "outside of the box."
- Enrichment programs will include, but are not limited to:
- Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies
- foreign language
- leadership and communication skills (public speaking)
- technology advancement,
- computer animation and graphics programs
- music, art
- mini-grants to classroom projects
Who is LEEF?
LEEF currently has twenty-six board members.
We are: Mark Cress, John W. Davis, Lisa Emirzian, John Ernst, Peter Greenberg, Cindy Healy, Lyn Hopkins, George Keady, John Kelley, Mary Ryan-Kusiak, Joy Leavitt, David Leslie, Ellen McKenna, John McNamara, Marie Murray, Barry O'Connor, John Papale, Robert Poisson, Saundra Reilly, James Sotiropoulos, Bob Sullivan, Michael Suzor, Michael Swirsky, Richard Tredeau, Brian Tuohey, and Linda Ulrich.
Additional information on the LEEF organization
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Volunteers can help with fundraising, special events, operations, and more. Please contact LEEF at the address below. LEEF welcomes your financial support. Please send contributions to:
LEEF
P.O. Box 60782
Longmeadow, MA 01116 (not 01106).Teacher Grant Information
For further information, please call the LEEF Office at 565-2109 or contact:
George Keady 567-2438 Brian Tuohey 567-0942
Lyn Hopkins 567-1434 Ellen McKenna 567-1119Email: longmeadowleef@aol.com
Revised: 2/02/04
