Local education foundations (LEFs) must become a more important component in the school district’s quest for alternative funding opportunities. The session will outline the very specific reasons why LEFs underachieve and provide the three proven solutions and requirements that make them successful. The most successful education foundation in the state of New Jersey, the Montclair Foundation for Education Excellence and Executive Director Lois Whipple will provide the details of the foundation’s success.Stephen Gilfus, Founder and inventor of Blackboard will present new “cutting edge” solutions using “private-public” partnerships for providing alternative funding opportunities and outline how “shared services” can reduce costs among multiple participating school districts. Bob New, President of MACEF, will present how one PA 501 (C) (3) foundation supports many small school districts in a region/county generating new funding opportunities.
In these days of shrinking revenue, reduced State and federal aid, 2% caps, exploding energy costs and taxpayer rejection of budgets and school facilities referenda, Board Members must look to creative ways to support ongoing educational programs. This workshop will explore alternative funding sources including school bus advertising, naming rights, concessions, power purchase agreements and student activity fees.
In these challenging times, funding the capital maintenance our aging school facilities require can seem impossible. The real cost of deteriorating and aged facilities however can not just be seen in worn out paint and finishes but in adverse impacts on student performance. While pressured to deliver continually improving test results, administrators often overlook the benefits adequately maintained facilities can help deliver. Numerous opportunities to fund these improvements – with minimal capital outlay – are here today and can be employed to address maintenance backlogs today. Learn about programs like ESIP, solar PPA’s and other State incentive programs that can benefit your educational goals today.
In 2009, Governor Corzine passed legislation that supported the creation of the “Energy Savings Improvement Program” (ESIP). ESIP is an alternate funding vehicle that offers school districts in New Jersey the ability to pursue energy related school infrastructure improvements (HVAC, control systems, lighting, building envelope – windows, doors & roofs) without the need to go to a bond referendum, incur additional debt service, or deplete already thin capital improvement funds. ESIP allows districts to self-fund these projects through future expected energy savings.
With minimal state aid on capital projects expected in upcoming years and with the available “Pay for Performance” rebates available to school districts in New Jersey, the need to explore creative programs, such as ESIP, has never been greater. This presentation will discuss the program, its benefits, its pros and cons compared to traditional school infrastructure funding, AND how to use the process as a resource for education and awareness among students, staff and faculty of energy management.