We know this may be the first time in years you have thought about Union City schools in any engagement sense, so thanks in advance for taking time to LEARN. By scrolling south on this page, you will receive a compact snapshot of need and urgency.
For more depth on individual issues, visit: LEARN IN DEPTH. (under construction)
For history and context: LEARN: Content-Context (under construction)
Those of us who graduated in the 20th Century enjoyed a "Golden Era" of educational opportunity and stability. There were five pillars:
We were taught using the textbook method -- the same textbooks used in schools of any size or community wealth. We had excellent teachers, available because teaching was a highly valued career choice. Teacher college enrollment was robust.
And Union City Graduates have gone into the world and succeeded in a broad array of important careers and life missions, demonstrating our sound preparation, dedicated effort and the "Can-Do" culture of Union City, then and today.
The 4-Year Degree had become the iconic avenue to career success, tracing to 1945 when millions of returning World War II veterans utilized the GI Bill to enter college. College was affordable by families of even modest means, although might require some scrimping, saving and part-time work. And for nearly 40 years, "any degree would do" in seeking the higher paying jobs that required a college degree.
Graduates not attending college had ready access to jobs in the prospering local economy. These jobs provided vocational education in the form of job training.
Families and businesses "of wealth" and even those of modest means were active philanthropically, almost exclusively in the form of scholarship support for graduates seeking 4-year college degrees.
Textbook learning is replaced by technology, including expensive equipment, labs and teacher training. Textbooks were inexpensive. Technology is expensive. But technology must be taught as it now inter-relates directly with a fast-changing job market. The playing field tilts in favor of larger, wealthier schools. Our graduates' competitiveness is threatened.
The reasons are complex but the impact is clear. Teachers are leaving the profession early. Teacher college enrollment is declining. In various forms, schools will compete to hire and retain top tier teachers, issues of both compensation and career satisfaction. Again the playing field tilts toward larger, wealthier schools.
The painful impact of skyrocketing college costs has become an 800# gorilla in our society. The degree stills holds iconic status for some (as it should for career paths that lead to high-paying professions that call for extensive, focused education But the concept of "any career will do" collapsed completely as the job market begins demanding specific skills (circa 1985 with the arrival of the digital age). More below on the related crisis of student debt.
The transition from a manufacturing economy to a knowledge economy lead to massive plant closings, and Union City was especially hard hit because of the importance of the Body Company. Schools including ours are not prepared for a swift shift toward vocationally focused education. Important activity is now underway and is deserving of support and career guidance.
A cruel combination of factors arrived almost simultaneously. The plant closing era led to a major loss of local wealth at the same time college costs began to skyrocket. Although scholarship support continues and is valuable and worthy, the reality is that philanthropy does not increase in any proportion that matches the escalating college costs. The need for student debt becomes a danger that leads to financial tragedy for many.
An Education Foundation is dedicated to the progress and success of a single public school system, in our case Union City Schools (Randolph Eastern School corporation. The Foundation is an IRS authorized 501(c) (3) charitable corporation offering tax advantages per latest IRS guidelines. Its role is to receive charitable donations, to prudently manage accumulated funds, and to work with the school and donors to support projects not otherwise affordable because of budget constraints.
Since 2014, the Alumni Association has worked to expand is value to the school. Our scholarship program is a decades long tradition. We added the Teacher Grant program, a living example of the kind of project relevant to teacher effectiveness and morale. The Teacher Grant program has been recognized as a principal player in Union City's national recognition for successful K12 implementation of STEM based education. By 2019, we realized two things:
Although slowed by the COVID pandemic and our own budget constraints, the Alumni Association has successfully launched UCEF as a fully operational foundation with the Alumni Association continuing as an active committee handling traditional roles and increasing alumni communication related to the needs described here.
Immediate needs are completion of a Seed Fund Campaign and the beginning of active alumni dialog about potential support
In larger, wealthier towns, Education Foundations have event-focused support, in addition to alumni giving. These events -- formal banquets, silent auctions, wine tastings, etc. -- rely on local wealth that U.C. does not have, and we do not want to compete, on their turf, with local not-for-profit programs benefitting our town.
We are encouraged by the number of Alums who have financially supported the Alumni Association over the years. The team effort that has led to formation of the Foundation has included Alumni participation dating back 20 years. (Details in graphic below).
Here are elements of that ongoing engagement with our school and home town:
We didn't always agree --- major change always involves spirited differences of opinion, but we saw the potential and we made it happen. Today, we need direct donation to the SEED FUND CAMPAIGN that finalizes in-perpetuity infrastructure, and donations to execute the vision.
Please click for a form that indicates you level of interest, from potential donor to volunteer helping the plan come to life. (Even interested observer!)
A strong overview of history, isssues and action plan.
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