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DEL.ICIO.USEducation Foundations: How Is Your Donation Being Spent?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Recent stories about Atlanta City Councilman H. Lamar Willis and his self-named educational foundation have really captured my interest.
Thanks to AJC reporter Cameron McWhirter’s recent articles, Willis is now being investigated by local, state and possibly federal authorities — the IRS won’t confirm or deny.
Officials are looking into a variety of issues, including whether Willis improperly used his office to promote the foundation and if he solicited donations under the false guise of a non-profit.
As Cameron reported, some of the recipients of the H. Lamar Willis Foundation were supposed to be Atlanta Public Schools students. But it’s unclear how many actually received the annual college scholarships the foundation touted.
There have been a couple of other stories lately about education foundations and how they’re using their funds. Of course, we already talked about how the University System of Georgia uses donations to pay for lobbying expenses. But did you see the article about the high school booster clubs hiring private investigators to tail student-athletes suspected of crossing district lines?
All of this news got me thinking: When you contribute to your school’s booster club, alumni association, PTA or local education foundation, do you know how your money is being spent?
UPDATE: According to the latest story on the H. Lamar Willis Foundation, some former scholarship winners say they either never received the promised financial aid or had to waits months before seeing their reward. This story just continues to amaze me.
Comments
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By Carmen
August 9, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Webcast Georgia Board of Education Meeting Live right now:
http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/pea_communications.aspx?PageReq=PEACommWebcast
I hope you will join us in our pursuit for “equal” access, parent and public participation and definately “equal” representation. Contact me at : bcitsright@yahoo.com Carmen Allen Advocate - Georgia
By Carmen
August 9, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this
This is the exact reason some of us are petitioning for “equal” access. Very good point, as not many of us really know where the funds are being spent. Many of the Education Foundations out there (my opinion) are representing parents wihtout even asking them how they feel about an issue.
I am amazed when I tell parents, who are PTA members well the PTA took a position against SB10 vouchers and they are surprised.
Parents and the public need to hold our representatives accountable.
opinions - every has to have one.
Carmen Allen Advocate - Georgia bcitsright@yahoo.com
By Elaine
August 9, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this
Our elementary school has its own foundation and raises a nice sum of money each year through parent and community donations. The proceeds are spent in very palpable ways. I’m impressed with how they stretch the dollars. Such things as a science lab with an assistant to help teachers use it, a computer lab assistant, a Spanish teacher who rotates through classes, and equipment/supplies for art and music are just some of the ways the foundation enriches the school environment.
It seems as though the faculty as well as the parents work together in determining how best to use the foundation funds. I haven’t met anyone who’s displeased with the expenditures. The budget is published and everyone knows how much comes in and how much goes out.
By WFC
August 10, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Nobody in their right mind would contribute to such a foundation. Find a good teacher and help them directly. Retired 30-year teacher here.
By harold
August 10, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
speaking of wasted education money, you can see below why Atlanta Public’s Schools’ NPR radio station WABE is so terrible and useless
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/4828.htm
By kco
August 10, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
Always better to contribute time rather than money to causes you support. That way, you know how your contribution is used.
By JustMe
August 10, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Test post….