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Sen. Moore’s bill promotes public /private partnerships for schools
March 29, 2007...Last week, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, filed legislation titled “An Act to Encourage Private Support for Public Schools” to promote a public / private partnership in developing educational endowments for public schools. “Despite significant assistance from the state, school districts are struggling to find ways to provide the level of education our knowledge-based economy demands,” said Sen. Moore. “This proposal would bring together public and private resources to address this struggle. It would essentially double the power of a portion of state education aid by linking it with private donations. Schools would be able to build endowments to ensure education stability, community members would develop a more vested interest in a school district and students would have better access to the academic resource they need to succeed.” The proposal would provide matching state funds to encourage private donations to public education. Donations eligible for a state match would be limited to an endowment for academic purposes including, but not limited to, scholarships, technology, advance placement courses, remedial courses, professional development, cultural enrichment, the arts, field trips, visiting lecturers, machinery for vocational training, library materials, and endowed faculty positions approved by the appropriate school district, regional school district, or regional vocational school district committee. A total district cap is included in order to limit the possibility that wealthier communities could raise funds that could use up the entire appropriated match. “The Legislature is continually looking for ways to partner with community and business leaders in strengthening our public education system,” said Moore. “This bill does achieve this goal in a way that will help secure the state’s public education system now and for generations to come.” |
