Fairfax Schools Find Funding Help In Local Businesses

As public schools across the country struggle with finances, school districts are looking more and more to the private sector for help. In Fairfax County, that's meant relying on a foundation created in 1983 to boost funding for science and technology in classrooms, according to The Washington Post.

Officials announced Monday the creation of a second organization, which will partner schools with the county's largest business association.

According to school officials, the Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Public Schools Education Foundation is meant to attract financial help from local businesses to support the area's public school system.

Jack D. Dale, superintendent of Fairfax County public schools, told The Post:

"This foundation is a vehicle for much broader philanthropic contributions than the other organization, which had a singular focus on technology."

The school board said that the financial support from Fairfax businesses will help local schools in a number of ways.

Bloomberg reported Wednesday:

Officials hope to raise $5 to $10 million that could be used to help seniors through the college admissions process and support programs for underrepresented students.

Read more about the new education foundation at The Washington Post.