Public schools turn to private money in bad times

A troubled economy and falling tax revenues mean problems for public education. And increasingly public schools are looking for private dollars to help.
   
Setting up local foundations to help public education is the focus of a meeting later this week in Columbia. State Education Superintendent Jim Rex, educators and members of the public will discuss how private foundations can help.
   
The Thursday statewide meeting is sponsored by Palmetto Horizon. The nonprofit foundation began 13 years ago to recruit teachers, help communities start local education foundations and as a way to get private gifts to public education.