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Thursday, Mar. 12, 2009

Foundation offers $50,000 match in teacher aid

As money for teachers to purchase supplies continues to become scarce, the Community Foundation of Central Georgia announced Wednesday it’s going to do something about it.

The foundation said it will chip in $50,000 to help midstate teachers if the community matches that amount in donations by the end of 2009.

The CFCG is asking residents in 15 midstate counties to donate to classrooms through the Web site www.donorschoose.org, where teachers post their classroom needs and allow the public to contribute financially.

“There have been budget cuts, budget cuts, budget cuts,” said CFCG President Kathryn Dennis at a news conference at Vineville Academy in Macon. “We’re asking for all of our community to step forward and help our teachers.”

Both Bibb and Houston County school systems have recently announced furloughs or the possibility of employee furloughs to save money this academic school year.

The state also has reduced education funding by millions.

“By providing this direct connection to the classroom, our community will be able to have a significant impact on achievement and performance,” Bibb County schools Superintendent Sharon Patterson said of the grant match.

About 23 midstate schoolteachers have a wish list of items they need posted on the DonorsChoose Web site, but more said they would register.

Debra Griffith, an instructional lead teacher at Vineville Academy, for instance, asked for about $400 in donations to buy items for the school’s first science lab.

The school needs microscopes and doesn’t have the funds in its school budget to buy them.

“I think it’s important they have authentic lab equipment,” Griffith said.

Other teachers ask for items from reading books to art supplies on the site.

“I think this will be a wonderful asset to our teachers. The money will go directly to them,” said Tanzy Gilcrease, Peach County school system’s middle school improvement specialist who came to the announcement to show support.

The Community Foundation of Central Georgia started in 1993 and is comprised of a group of citizens who promote philanthropy.

Since its inception, the foundation has awarded more than $30 million in grants to projects such as NewTown Macon and the Macon Symphony Orchestra.

Dennis said for its 15 year anniversary the board chose to fund a project that would have a broader affect.

“There is a school system in every county,” she said. “Education makes an immediate across the board impact.”

The CFCG will match $50,000 in donations for teachers in Baldwin, Bibb, Butts, Coffee, Crawford, Houston, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Monroe, Peach, Taylor, Twiggs, Upson and Wilkinson school systems.

To contact writer Julie Hubbard, call 744-4331.