Bells will be ringing across the state soon to usher in a new school year, and administrators in many of Utah's education districts are scratching their heads trying to decide how to distribute limited tax dollars for myriad programs.
The burden in the Granite District has been lessened through a nonprofit foundation that encourages Salt Lake Valley businesses to become a "partner in education.""The Granite Education Foundation was organized in 1988 because we wanted to see positive changes in education," said Scott Whipple, GEF executive director. "Tax dollars were not providing the funding that we knew would be needed to develop and maintain many essential programs, and a tax increase was not the answer. We realized that the key was to develop an ongoing relationship between Granite schools and area businesses."
Over $3 million has been raised by the foundation through business contributions and student fund-raisers. Cash and in-kind donations have provided computer equipment, established scholarships, funded teacher-recognition programs and purchased library books.
"It's been great to see the response that we have received from dozens of businesses. We've been able to enrich every classroom in the district - which is the central purpose of the foundation," Whipple added.
The first task for GEF officials was to assemble a volunteer board of area business and civic leaders that could offer professional experience and insight in raising money and determining the needs of teachers and students.
Whipple said that board members such as Franklin Quest founder Hyrum Smith, University of Utah basketball coach Rick Majerus and many others have been "very valuable in making sure the foundation meets its goals to provide students with a variety of educational opportunities."
Board members meet frequently in focus groups to determine how to effectively distribute contributions to Granite students and teachers.
"It's exciting when the foundation can award a scholarship to an outstanding art student, assist a young mother continuing her education, or recognize an outstanding teacher or administrator at our annual GEF EXCEL awards ceremony. With tax funds alone, these types of opportunities would be impossible," Whipple said.
Many of the businesses that support GEF expect to realize rewards in the form of skilled future employees.
"We really don't see our contributions to the foundation as a gift, but as an investment in our company's future," said Broadcast Television Systems spokeswoman Ellen Martinez. "You never know, the student that is able to learn about electronics on equipment that we donated may later become the engineer that develops a new product to keep us in business for the next 40 years."
Businesses or individuals interested in participating in the Granite Education Foundation can call 268-8590.