Bill would create fund within DOE that would serve as a depository for all funds privately donated to school districts under partial, full state control
N.J. Sen. Ronald Rice Sr. in this 2006 file photo.TRENTON — A New Jersey lawmaker today said he plans to introduce legislation Monday to make private donations to public schools under state control more transparent.
"Sometimes, these donations come with strings attached, or come from sources with less-than-stellar reputations," said Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D-Essex). "New Jersey residents need to know where the money’s coming from, and what it’s intended for, before their school districts agree to the terms of the donation.”
Rice's bill would create a fund within the state Department of Education — called the “Private Investment in Public Education Fund” — that would serve as a depository for all funds privately donated to school districts under partial or full state intervention.
Districts would be required to forward any donation from an individual or business to the state education commissioner for deposit into the fund, Rice said. School officials would then have to post the names of donors and intended purpose of the donation onto their district's website.
To withdraw funds from the account, the superintendent of schools for the district, with the approval of the school board, would have to apply to the education commissioner.
“The goal with this legislation is to give the public an opportunity to review these private donations, and to voice any concerns with their local board of education,” Rice said.
The bill would be retroactive to any funds received by school districts in New Jersey that have not been spent yet.
Rice pointed to recent donations to Newark public schools — including a $100 million donation from Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg, a $3 million donation from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to develop a teacher evaluation system, and funds intended for charter schools development that were channeled through a private consulting firm, Global Education Advisors, founded by acting Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf before he was named to head the Department of Education.
Although many donations are made with good intentions, he said, it's up to residents in Newark and elsewhere to determine whether they're willing to accept private assistance for their public schools, since it may come with conditions.
Sen. Rice’s bill is expected to be referred to the Senate Education Committee.
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