- April 17, 2024
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As a volunteer leader with the Flagler County Education Foundation, I have seen how our efforts to support local schools are making a difference.
We have awarded $31,000 to the county’s most innovative teachers to enhance classroom learning, provided school supplies for children in need, and five students will graduate from high school with four-year scholarships in hand, thanks to generous donors and the Take Stock in Children program.
Flagler County businesses, civic organizations and individual donors support our work, despite our ongoing economic challenges, because they share our strategy of investing in today’s students to build a stronger foundation for our future.
One of the reasons they continue to give is that we are frequently able to leverage their contribution through the School District Education Foundation Matching Grant Program with a dollar-for-dollar match from the state of Florida. Florida is a national leader in this matching grant program for K-12 education, and we are pleased that Gov. Rick Scott sees the value in this investment and has chosen to restore funding for this line item in his proposed budget.
Besides doubling each state dollar, this program encourages further engagement by local Education Foundation board members as we work with the school.
Last year alone, 50 foundations including ours participated in the program through the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations. Since 2001, the state’s $19 million investment in this program has encouraged 1,100 board members like me to raise far more to provide targeted support for Florida’s students.
With the 2012 Legislature upon us, we realize our legislators will have to make tough decisions in their own budgeting process. Many of them have already pledged their support, and we are confident they will also make this matching grant program a priority.
For my part, I pledge to roll up my sleeves and work even harder in the coming year to provide a strong return on the investment for Flagler County students. The stakes have never been higher for our schools and our state, and I am honored to be involved in the important work of the Flagler County Education Foundation.
Steve Barnier is a board member with the Flagler County Education Foundation.
