School raises crisis cash

By Tania Martin
OLINDA Primary School has raised just over $7000 in less than three weeks after going public about its funding plight that might see it loose a teacher.
Parents have worked to help the school community raise the money needed for the teacher.
Some parents have pledge their willingness to take out individual personal loans to help the school come up with the $60,000 it needs to maintain it current teaching staff.
In March the school’s principal, Jorg Kiene, told the Mail that the cash shortage wasn’t created by a cut in government funding but had come about because the school had not been able to attract enough students.
However, Minister for Education Lynne Kosky has maintained that the school has a good teacher-to-student ratio, with one teacher for every 15 children.
School council president Heather Herbert said the school was now waiting for the State Government to tell it when the $60,000 was needed by.
La Trobe MP Jason Wood last week also signalled his support for the school’s funding plight, suggesting a number of funding grants it could apply for.
The Federal MP said he was willing to help out as much as he could but said it was difficult for him to do much because school funding was a State Government responsibility.
He said the current problems with staff would be fixed with an increase in student numbers but that funds needed to put into the school to ensure continued enrolments.
School council president Heather Herbert said that Mr Wood has signalled his support for its $150,000 proposal for the Federal Government’s investing in schools program.
Ms Herbert said this funding would go towards providing a students kitchen, sporting equipment and rejuvenating some of the recreational areas.
Meanwhile, Monbulk MP James Merlino said he would be please to see Olinda Primary School get a capital upgrade and that he is always working with and encouraging local schools to apply for capital funding for infrastructure improvements.
However, he said the funding for the teachers and students enrolments was a different issue.
He said it was his responsibility as the local state members to make sure every school is fairly funded.
“This means that if there is an increase of enrolments at one school it gets an increase in funding and if there is a decrease that would mean less funding.
“It is adjusted according to the school’s enrolments and this is the only fair way to deal with school funding,” he said.
Ms Herbert said the school was planning an auction soon which will feature memorabilia donated from Collingwood Football Club, a Disney store in England which has donated a giant Chicken Little and other several other items.
The next big fund raiser is a total health and wellbeing show which will be held on Saturday, 29 and Sunday, 30 April which will offer a range of spa treatments including massage, aromatherapy, mini facials and tarot readings and a juice bar.