NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 9, 2000

CARY COUNCIL TO CONSIDER INNOVATIVE PLAN
FOR HELPING LOCAL SCHOOLS

CARY, NC – Tonight, the Cary Town Council will consider a new idea to improve the quality of education of Cary children. Under the proposal to be discussed at this evening’s regular 7:30 PM meeting, the Council may choose to join with other local businesses, organizations, and even private citizens in supporting the creation of a new, non-profit corporation (501-C3)—Cary Kids. Once established, Cary Kids could collect charitable donations to be used to support operating and building schools for Cary children. A citizen board of directors would likely govern the non-profit.

If the Cary Council agrees to proceed with the idea, to address school operational needs, the Town could each year choose to donate a certain amount of money to Cary Kids based perhaps on the number of Cary children enrolled in school. For example, $200 per Cary student in fiscal year 2001 would yield a donation of about $3.7 million to Cary Kids. Principals of schools that Cary children attend would request funds from the Cary Kids board each year by submitting proposals outlining specific projects or needs. The board would evaluate all proposals and distribute funds accordingly.

While survey after survey shows "schools" to be a top concern for Cary citizens, innovative solutions to the problems are necessary for Cary because, unlike other states, North Carolina does not give municipalities direct authority to build and operate schools. However, Cary may be able to join others in contributing funds to a non-profit such as Cary Kids, which could then help meet local education needs.

At its recent annual planning retreat, the Council also agreed to look at another part of the school support plan. That part would have new development in Cary help with local school capital (building) needs, also through donations to Cary Kids, or by funding entire school buildings directly in the case of large-scale development.

Visit the town’s website at www.townofcary.org for more information about Cary’s local education improvement initiatives as well as detail about tonight’s Council meeting.

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