The reason for the body decor and fun was to kick off the Los Gatos Education Foundation's 2004 annual campaign, with the goal of raising $1 million. This amount will retain Los Gatos Union School District teachers—saving eight positions from elimination. It will also maintain smaller class sizes and expand key music, science, art and educational programs.

LGEF is a nonprofit organization made up of Los Gatos parents and community members striving to achieve educational excellence by raising vital funds for Los Gatos schools, including Blossom Hill, Daves Avenue, Lexington and Louise Van Meter elementaries and Raymond J. Fisher Middle School.

"These children are going to be the leaders of the future," said District Superintendent Mary Ann Park. "And there's no way of getting around it. [We can't say] it's not my responsibility, or the state should do it."

This year's campaign expands on the success of LGEF's 2003 Save Our Schools campaign, which raised more than $1 million and protected 13 teachers from losing their jobs. LGEF Campaign Co-Chairwoman Cathy Foy said they want to protect district staff—especially young, new and vibrant teachers—from potential pink slips due to budget shortfalls projected for the 2004­05 school year. The district is expected to lose four to five teachers because of declining enrollment, Park said, hopefully through attrition and retirement rather than layoffs.

"We are looking at about a 3 percent decline in enrollment because we had a large bubble of kids going through this year," Park said.

Fisher's eighth-grade outgoing class has 343 students, Park said, with the incoming fifth-grade enrollment at 272 students. There are currently 2,575 students within the LGUSD, and for Park this means educating those students is everyone's job. While she said it would be great if education could be free, and the state would cover the full costs of public education, that's not reality. She stressed the importance of supporting LGEF.

"The organization has the expertise. It has the heart in the right place," she said. "And its core message is, how can we make this school district the best place for children to learn?"

A mailer was sent to Los Gatos families on Jan. 26, Foy said, noting the status of Los Gatos funding per student versus the California state average. Those figures from 2001­02 show Los Gatos students receiving only $6,984 per student, versus $7,324 for students across California and $8,087 on a national average. Park said because LGUSD has become a basic-aid district—meaning it is primarily funded by local property taxes—those numbers are now slightly higher per student, but still well below the national average.

The campaign continues a 21-year LGEF tradition of raising funds for education. But to meet its goal before the campaign's March 15 end, LGEF members are requesting 100 percent participation from the Los Gatos community. This includes a target donation of $600 from families with one child in the district and $900 from families with two or more children. LGEF President Pam Kissiah said that, while they are not expecting every family to be able to give the amount requested, any amount feasible will help. There are payment plans available in monthly installments, she said. People can donate funds via LGEF's website, and company-matching grants are encouraged.

Foy said the backbone of the campaign stems from the 80 classroom representatives who will be contacting other parents and educating them about LGEF's mission.

"The goal is personal touch," Kissiah said. "Every parent has to be talked to. A lot of times, they just don't understand the whole state budget and how it impacts overall school funding."

Local business owners, grandparents and community members are also being called to action to support the campaign, Kissiah said, to prevent substandard education for Los Gatos children.

Throughout the campaign, banners and balloons will adorn Los Gatos schools, a coin chart will track dollars as they come in and donor names will be placed on a wall of fame. There will be a free car wash for donors as well as other fun incentives and giveaways, Foy said. Teachers and faculty will be wearing LGEF T-shirts during the campaign, and vehicles will drive through downtown Los Gatos bearing LGEF's campaign mission and trademark.

The Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company, 101 W. Main St., is encouraging people to make their donations during the first four weeks of the campaign. Donors who do so will receive a free tumbler mug—bearing the LGEF and Roasting Company logos—which is good for unlimited fill-ups during this time.

"I can't wait to see people coming in with their cups," said Roasting Company owner Teri Hope.

For more information, visit http://www.lgef.org.