Aurora Public Schools Foundation

“The members of the Aurora Public Schools Education Foundation Board are independent of the School Board and the School District. As part of the Foundation's advocacy for high quality public education for all children in the District, the Foundation accepts an in-kind donation of certain services from the District and pays for a portion of the services provided by the district. Those services primarily include personnel dedicated to the Foundation as well as office space and other support services. The Executive Director and other assigned staff are supervised by the District's Superintendent and the Superintendent's delegates. The District's Superintendent or his delegate attends Foundation Board meetings but is not a voting member of the Board.The Foundation is a separate legal entity and the District is not financially accountable for the Foundation, the Foundation's financial statements are included as part of the District's financial reporting entity because of the nature and significance of the relationship between the primary government and the Foundation.”

“The Bylaws were amended to eliminate a provision which suggested the board be made up of a certain composition.A provision was added defining the role of the Treasurer.The annual review of the Executive Director was clarified to be performed at the annual meeting.”

“The 990 is prepared by a CPA and first forwarded to the Executive Director of Foundation for his review and approval. It is then forwarded to the Foundation's Finance Committee which reviews it and approves it. Upon that approval, the Form 990 is distributed to the other Board members.”

“The Executive Director's salary is paid for by Aurora Public Schools, Aurora, Colorado. The Foundation reimbursed Aurora Public Schools for a portion of the executive director's salary. The district provides a supervisory function over the Executive Director's performance and determines the appropriate salary based upon its survey of comparable positions in the metropolitan area.”

“The organization makes its governing documents, policies and financial statements available to members of the public when they are requested.”

“The Foundation typically selects the same auditing firm as audits the Joint School District NO. 28J of the Counties of Adams and Arapahoe, Colorado. The Foundation's financial statements are included in those financial statements.”

“ASEF and the APS serve a richly diverse student population: - APS students come from 130 different countries and speak 120 different languages. - 37% of students speak English as a second language; of these 86% are native Spanish speakers -71% of our APS students receive free and reduced lunch.APSEF has administered hundreds of scholarships to APS students attending colleges and vocational schools nationwide since it began in 1987.”

“The financial statements are audited on a separate basis. The financial statements of the Foundation are included as part of the Joint School District No. 28-J of the Counties of Adams and Arapahoe, Colorado's financial reporting entity because of the nature and significance of the relationship between the two entities.”