Current Funding Needs

CLINICS

It is difficult for families to obtain and manage access to dental and vision care on their own. Cotting School maintains clinics in these areas with formal affiliations with Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and New England College of Optometry. Money to sustain these clinics is raised through various fund-raising efforts. A restricted endowment is needed to insure the ongoing operation of the clinics.

Annual approximate costs for affiliations, equipment, maintenance:
Dental - $26,000
Vision - $25,000

TECHNOLOGY

Technology is a tool that opens the possibility of communication for many children at Cotting School. Many profit immeasurably from the use of computers every day. Software and peripherals for children with complex communication needs are expensive and need constant upgrading.
Maintaining and improving opportunities in our computer labs and in the library is also challenging. A restricted endowment is needed to assure the school's ability to maintain its efforts in these areas.

Annual anticipated costs
exceed $90,000

TRANSPORTATION

The school must maintain a small fleet of vehicles. Among the most important are six handicapped equipped vans used to transport students to field trips, work sites, "life skills" locations (such as grocery stores) and other important community-based activties. These opportunities are essential for training in life skills and for enrichment.

Funds are needed so that a replacement vehicle can be purchased every two or three years, at a cost of approximately $40,000.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Improving faculty and staff training is a serious goal. In addition to helping faculty meet licensing and approval requirements, the school provides monthly training programs on-site. The school provides annual reimbursement ($500) toward approved course work. This is far less than the cost of one course. A restricted endowment is needed to increase the reimbursement dollars available.

To maintain a modest program, $20,000 per year is needed.

COTTAGE INDUSTRY

In order to provide an adequate internship and work experience program, the School needs to purchase and operate a community business incorporating different vocational opportunities for students. The School has approximately 24 upper school and postgraduate students placed in community experiences on a regular basis. Maintaining these community sites is difficult, a problem which adding our own community-based small business will help solve.

Funds will be needed for the purchase and renovation of property and
start-up costs.

CURRENT FUNDING NEEDS

ART/MUSIC

Opportunities to participate in enrichment activities are very important to children with disabilities. Many of these activities are not considered necessary within the budgets of schools. They are critical for children who find them not only enjoyable and exciting but wonderful means of expression and fulfillment. A fund is needed to offset some of these expenses.

School year costs including salaries of two full-time faculty members exceed $90,000

OT/PT

Physical and occupational therapy services and equipment are expensive but essential. A restricted endowment is needed to insure that these needs are met in coming years.

Average annual costs exceed $10,000, not including salaries

453 Concord Avenue, Lexington MA 02421

(781) 862-7323
Home