Fundraising Temporarily Paused

At RE Jewell, we’ve been inspired by the energy, creativity, and support surrounding the effort to bring an inclusive playground to our school. This initiative has always been rooted in one powerful goal: making sure every student has safe, equitable access to play. From the beginning, our school community has rallied around the vision of a more inclusive space—one that reflects the diverse needs of all children.

We want to provide an important update regarding the status of our fundraising efforts.

Recently, Bend-La Pine Schools announced a temporary pause on large-scale fundraising efforts for capital improvement projects, which includes playground upgrades, athletic facility improvements, and other structural enhancements. This decision comes as the district conducts a thorough review of its fundraising policies and procedures, with the goal of ensuring greater equity, transparency, and alignment with district-wide planning processes.

Why the Pause?

According to the district, several key factors contributed to this decision:

• Policy Alignment: Fundraising and donation policies are being reviewed and updated to better reflect the current needs of schools and communities.

• Equity: The district aims to reduce disparities in access to resources by ensuring that no school is at a disadvantage based on its fundraising capabilities.

• Project Oversight: Large-scale improvements—like playground builds—require city permitting, contractor management, and district-led financial oversight, which are typically handled by the Facilities Development Office (FDO).

• Financial Accountability: Major fundraising efforts involve complex accounting and audit requirements that are being evaluated to ensure compliance across the board.

What This Means for the Jewell Playground Project

While we are not currently permitted to conduct active fundraising unless we are able to fully fund the project before August 1, 2025, this does not mean the project is canceled. It simply means we’re entering a period of pause and policy alignment. In the meantime, our team will continue advocating for this important work and looking for ways to move the project forward in non-fundraising capacities—whether that’s community education, stakeholder outreach, or continuing the conversation with district leadership.

We’ve also requested additional information from the district on:

• The status of safety concerns previously identified with the existing playground structure.

• Whether flexible design standards can be considered to ensure access for all students.

• A realistic timeline for when project planning and fundraising might resume in light of the policy review.

We remain committed to this project and to the values that inspired it. While the pause may feel frustrating, we also recognize the importance of building a path forward that is thoughtful, fair, and sustainable—not just for Jewell, but for schools across the district.

Looking Ahead

The district has indicated that the policy review process will continue through the summer of 2025, with implementation of updated guidelines expected in the following school year. We’ll continue to work closely with Bend-La Pine Schools and advocate for timely updates, clarity, and solutions that support students who currently face daily barriers to play.

As always, we’re grateful for the outpouring of support from the Jewell community. Your enthusiasm keeps this work alive—and we’re not going anywhere. Together, we will continue to push for a playground that reflects the heart of our school: inclusive, welcoming, and designed for every child.

Thank you for joining with us.

—RE Jewell Playground Committee