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Monday, December 1, 2008
Money lessons from private schools
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Look at the high-level administrative positions at many private schools and you’ll find someone with a title like “vice president for institutional advancement.”
This person’s main job is to raise money and support for the school. He or she leads teams behind $100 million fund-raising campaigns and building name dedication opportunities. This position is crucial to private schools because they operate without public tax money.
Maybe it’s time for public schools to create a similar position.
Yes, some public schools have their own foundations. And some districts — including Atlanta and Gwinnett — have started their own to raise money for students and teachers.
But these foundations are not run by the local district. Who on a district’s staff is responsible for finding extra money? Yes, there are grant writers, but there is more money to be found than that.
Districts are facing harsh times between state budget cuts, the weak economy and reduced property tax revenue. Things will only get worse next school year.
Is it time for school districts to have someone on staff dedicated to going after all the public and private money out there?
