Parents asked to donate $351 for smaller classes | parents, foundation, school - The Orange County Register

Parents asked to donate $351 for smaller classes | parents, foundation, school - The Orange County Register:

Parents asked to donate $351 for smaller classes

By FERMIN LEAL / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

LOS ALAMITOS – Parents in Los Alamitos Unified School Districts have been asked to donate $351 per student to support programs to lower class sizes.

Some principals throughout the district sent out emails this week asking parents to contribute the money to the district's nonprofit fundraising arm, the Los Alamitos Educational Foundation.

Piper Johnson, a student at Jack L. Weaver Elementary School in Los Alamitos, waits for some help while doing math in this file photo. Parents in all Los Alamitos schools are being asked to donate $351 to support smaller classes.

MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The funds will help bring in additional teachers to work with students in math and English courses across all grade levels. The money may also help offset the millions in state budget cuts projected for the 9,600-student district.

"Under extreme financial strain, our district has done a great job keeping our class sizes smaller than our neighboring school districts. ... We could not do this alone and appreciate the partnerships we have with parents in helping us provide a world class education for students," Oak Middle School Principal Sally Neiser said in an email to parents.

"The Los Alamitos Education Foundation is