“The Oak Harbor Education Foundation, a local organization which has conducted much of its work quietly over the past few years, raised its voice and profile this week by holding a Breakfast for Education fund-raiser at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club.The non-profit foundation was founded in 1992 to seek scholarships and other financial support for the Oak Harbor District. Through membership fees, grants, bequests and gifts, the foundation passes out thousands of dollars in teacher, student and education assistance each year.But early Wednesday morning the group brought together local business owners, elected officials, local citizens and school district administrators to say money isn’t the only thing schools need from the community. Keynote speaker Roberta Krause talked about the importance of involving the entire community in the education of children. Krause, a former teacher and a member of the committee that put together Washington State’s new education reforms, said education today has little in common with its past. One hundred years ago only 6 percent of students graduated from high school, said Krause. By the end of World War II less than half of students graduated. Today, about 75-79 percent complete high school but Krause said it is still not enough. Education through high school and beyond will be necessary for all students in order for them to join the 21st century workforce. Cynthia Shelton, career and technical education director for the Oak Harbor School District, encouraged community members to take an active role in education by becoming advisors, sponsors, speakers, mentors and volunteers in local schools. She said kids need to be able to see that their education has relevance in the working world.Kids love school when they see the relevance, she said.The Oak Harbor Education Foundation is actively seeking new members, community partnerships and financial contributions. They can be reached at PO Box 1801, Oak Harbor, 98277. “