Clovis explores private funding

Marlena Hartz: CNJ staff writer

Private money can be a mighty resource for public schools, and it should be tapped locally, according to Clovis Municipal Schools Superintendent Rhonda Seidenwurm.

“As many graduates as we have who live right here in Clovis, we are missing a real opportunity for that community to give money to our district, tax-free,” Seidenwurm said.

The superintendent introduced the idea of forming an educational foundation Tuesday during a school board meeting.

She estimated the district could garner at least $100,000 annually in private donations.

“I think the people in this community, once the project gets going, would back it with their dollars,” School Board President Mark Lansford said.

Seidenwurm said the foundation would operate independently of the school board and would be comprised of mostly community members.

Donations to the foundation would be used strictly to fund academic programs, Seidenwurm said. The extra dollars could be used to supplement existing programs, recognize student achievement, and jump-start innovative projects in classrooms, she said.

School Board Vice President Max Best called the foundation “a great idea.”

Also at Tuesday’s meeting:

n Career readiness, math, Air Force ROTC, social studies, and health curricula were introduced. Most of the curricula will be implemented at the start of the school year, but school board members should vote on the matter within two weeks, officials said.

n A three-year contract for anti-virus software was approved. The district will pay roughly $45,460 for three years.