Competition over fundraising has sparked animosity between the juniors and seniors of Shalhevet. The Agenda Committee proposed a committee to be led by Stuart Rogoff, Shalhevet’s new Director of Development, to oversee all student fundraising issues. Following a mostly supportive town hall discussion,  a vote held on April 13th may solve the issue once and for all.

For the first time this year, juniors have been permitted to fundraise for their own senior class trip to Poland and Israel. The seniors, who were barred from fundraising last year, felt that the juniors were stealing their market and subtracting from the money they could potentially raise. The juniors, however, acknowledge how senior classes in the past have had difficulty raising enough funds in just one year, and claim they are trying to get a head-start.

Observing the conflicts between the upperclassmen, the Agenda Committee held a town hall to discuss the issue. One proposed idea was to create a rotating Poland-Israel fund, which every grade would contribute to each year of high school. Another suggested the committee could oversee all fundraising, including scholarships for extracurricular trips like debate competitions or newspaper conferences.

Also discussed was the fact that Rabbi Offer Sabo, who raises thousands of dollars each year for the Poland-Israel trip, will not be returning to Shalhevet next year. He received a standing ovation when he walked into town hall. Students simultaneously praised him for his contribution and voiced fear that fundraising will be exponentially more difficult next year.

Approximately half the school turned out to vote. The ballot allowed students to vote if the committee should be comprised of upperclassmen or the entire students population, and if there should be a committee at all.

Results are yet to be announced, but Agenda Chair Toby Burn speculates that the proposal will be passed.

“It looks like there’s going to be a committee, and people are leaning towards it having all grades,” he said