Education leaders push for private funding for public schools

Education leaders are hoping to prevent budget cuts from having an impact on public education.  Later this week, State Education Superintendent Jim Rex will have a meeting to discuss ways local foundations can help public education, an effort to increase private money to help with funding shortages.

Berkeley County School District has had its own foundation since 2000, called the Berkeley County Foundation for Education.  District spokeswoman Pam Bailey says, “I don’t think you can over estimate the value of supplemental funds to public education.  The purpose of that foundation is to do just what Superintendent Rex is promoting, to promote public education and also to bring private resources into the classroom, that classroom teachers would not otherwise have the benefit of.  That money goes to specifically affect instruction.“  The foundation raises money from individuals, businesses and corporations.  Bailey says, “It is a 501-C3 organization, so it could be a conduit for grant money from businesses that it holds.  It’s also a bank for private donors who want to set up scholarship funds.“  Teachers apply for grants.  The foundation has gifted around 90-thousand-dollars to schools for educational programs.  With budget cuts and an uncertain economy,  Bailey says foundations like this one are needed. She says, “To be able to have the knowledge that there is an organization out there, a foundation out there that’s ready and that funds are available so that you won’t lose programs that are already in place, or when times are better can supplement programs that help instruction in the classroom, I think that’s just beneficial beyond words.“

Dorchester District Two does not have a formal foundation set up,  but it receives grants through foundation sponsored programs.  Charleston County does not receive allocations from educational foundations, but parents have set up foundations for individual schools.

Superintendent Jim Rex will meet with educators and members of the public Thursday.  The statewide meeting is sponsored by Palmetto Horizon.  The nonprofit foundation that began 13 years ago to recruit teachers and help communities start local education foundations.