The typical bake sale at a school is fun, and usually pulls in a few dollars for small items, a dance, etc. But these fiscal future looks much too bleak to rely on such small fund-raising venues, and school administrators are looking at the BIG dollars corporations could give.

And, as the most wealthy companies and individuals in this country are giving to the NYCDOE, it is not in their interest to expose the lack of transparency, nor would they want anyone else to do it. Of course Eli or Bill could say that they didnt know this "black hole" for donated resources existed, but that doesnt sound too good.
It seems to me that the powers that be have a vested interest in having Joel Klein, Diana Lam, Dennis Walcott, Mayor Bloomberg, all the others as well, be the voices of reason, ed reform, TRUTH, and this is why we see Joel attacking Andrew Wolf and Diana Ravich in the media.
This to me is crazy, as the minute we "ordinary" (ouch - dont let's get into a political argument about that one) parents and citizens read, as we have in the past few days, attacks by our Chancellor against respected journalists and researchers, we question the motive, right? Perhaps too much money is riding on Joel Klein's ability to "fool" (there you have my political perspective, sorry) everyone. I have about 300 pages I got from Roddy Stimson in Texas and Kevin Clement in Rhode Island on Diana Lam's actions in both states that she and Joel would rather no one see. Haven't Joel, Diana, Dennis, Bill, Eli, etc., heard about the Internet? Or telephones? We have no way of stopping the flow of information today, and all the donors and all the NYCDOE personnel will be held accountable sooner or later for their actions. Then what?

If parents of a child in special education had the services taken away from their child due to forgery, sabotage, or other illegal activity, can these parents sue Bill Gates and others for contributions to an entity breaking Federal laws?

I'm JUST ASKING.

Some schools turning to marketing deals

and,

Education Partnerships with businesses help schools ease tight budgets
By MEGAN HAWKINS
Register Staff Writer

01/08/2004From book-collection boxes near business doors to credit-card companies that donate money to school districts, school-business partnerships are proving valuable when school budgets are tight.

The partnerships can be found throughout the Des Moines area and vary from businesses that financially support schools to programs that let students learn about professions or do volunteer work with adults.

"It's really a combination - schools appreciate the assistance partnerships can provide, especially if they focus on an important activity in the school, and also, partners provide resources both monetary and otherwise to support critical programs," said Klark Jessen, spokesman for the Des Moines public schools.

For the business partners, whether they are stores, corporations, cities or nonprofit organizations, the arrangements offer a chance to enlighten young minds, get in touch with youngsters and earn a good name in the community. More often than not, partners tend to be regional as nearby organizations step up to help neighborhood schools.

The city of Clive, for example, is a business partner for Crestview Elementary School. City staff members take part in numerous activities with students, including a mock city council meeting and occasional lunches. The city also donates money to the school.

"A large majority of Clive children are educated for their grade-school years there, and this helps give students exposure to local government," said Dennis Henderson, Clive's city manager. "It's a really good awakening for them."

In Ankeny, the schools have joined the Chamber of Commerce in a recent push to create business partnerships. Superintendent Kent Mutchler said the focus is not only on economics, but also on time and volunteerism.

"The biggest thing they do is come into schools and help with children, reading to them," Mutchler said. "It also allows kids to get into the business world and explore careers and learn lessons you can only get in the workplace. It's an exchange of time and knowledge between employees and kids."

Business partners have gotten creative. Anderson Erickson Dairy, for example, set up a day where employees could pay to wear jeans to work. The proceeds went directly to Brubaker Elementary School in Des Moines, and the school nurse purchased clothing for children in need, which was especially helpful during the cold winter months.

Most schools encourage business partnerships, although some have occasionally encountered scrutiny for doing excessive fund-raising. Educators maintain that every little bit helps.

"Schools are always accused of doing too much fund raising," said Dave Wilkerson, Waukee's associate superintendent. "But if some of our activities groups didn't do it, they'd have to cut programs. From an educational standpoint, there's a direct benefit to their education."

Some school districts deal with criticism by enacting rules. West Des Moines does not allow advertising in schools, although the district allows business partnerships, said Kay Rosene, spokeswoman for the district.

"That would open wide the doors for for-profit organizations to use kids as carriers of advertising, and we're not interested in getting into that," she said.

The district does allow nonprofit organizations, such as the YMCA or local youth sports leagues, to send information home with students. "That keeps the backpacks heavy enough."

Some businesses, such as Valley West Mall, offer seasonal collaborations. The shopping center has donated thousands of dollars to the schools whose families spend the most on back-to-school shopping. Other arrangements last year-round, such as Target's donation of a percentage of purchases to specified school districts.

More direct ways businesses and individuals can get involved include adopting classrooms and donating supplies - programs that some schools also do year-round - or volunteering to read or do service projects. Educators said the best way that interested people can get involved is by contacting their local school or district.

Partnerships with businesses help schools ease tight budgets