School board approves establishment of foundation

A foundation supporting Summerland School is one step closer to fruition following a February meeting of the Summerland Board of Education.

Board member Ed Nordby, working with district patron Laura Ferguson, presented options to the board, Feb. 15.

Nordby said a foundation can be formed in one of two ways: A separate entity or as part of the school district.

“I think (a separate entity) is going to be the best thing for us,” Nordby said.

Ferguson said the idea of forming a foundation originated in 2020, after the school bond passed. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, plans for a foundation were tucked to the side.

“I felt like this is the time to look at it again,” Ferguson said. She brings 11 years of experience in development and fundraising.

According to Ferguson, a foundation could help the district provide a way for donors to receive tax credits since it would operate as a 501(c)3.

“We can use those funds for the school or education, in general, in a way that benefits Summerland,” Ferguson said.

Nordby said he’s had individuals approach him about donating funds for scholarships.

“If it’s through a 501(c)3 or foundation, they would be eligible for tax savings,” Nordby said.

According to Ferguson, the foundation would be audited annually. A school board member and administrator would serve on the foundation’s board.

Nordby recommended a board with five or seven members.

Ed Nordby volunteered to be a member of the official board. Superintendent Kyle Finke will also help throughout the initial process.

“That would give us the structure to pull other members in and get the ball rolling,” Ferguson said.

She suggested an executive director and development director fill two separate, unpaid positions at this time.

Finke recommended that paperwork get started and then a board can be established.

The board will return to discussion in upcoming months, once paperwork for the foundation’s formation has been started. Legal work with be pro bono and a donor will be sought to pay the initial filing fees.