News Details (Posted: October 21, 2006):

Sparta forms new Education Foundation for School District

Contact Information:

Suzann Schroepfer
877-472-1731

Full Description:

SPARTA, N.J., Oct. 17 -- The Sparta Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization set up to raise funds and community awareness for the Sparta Public School District, today announced that it is officially commencing activities. The Foundation’s mission is to foster broad private-sector support to serve the needs and interests of the Sparta Public Schools. “For many years, Sparta’s schools have needed a fundraising vehicle to attract financial support for capital improvements and other projects,” said Foundation President Suzann Schroepfer. “Our community, like so many others, is judged in part on the quality and success of our school system. Anything we can do to support our schools will come back to benefit the Sparta community as a whole.” The Foundation was founded by a group of Sparta residents, including President Suzann Schroepfer, Vice President Dan Corrigan, co-Treasurers Bill Stoddard and Michael Schroepfer, Secretary Dorothy LaBeau, and Compliance Officer Jennifer Passerini. Legal counsel has been provided by Debra Nicholson. Nationwide, $38.5 billion was contributed last year to educational causes; in New Jersey alone, approximately 100 communities have independent non-profit foundations to raise funds to support their public schools. “A separately incorporated foundation can solicit funds on behalf of the schools from many previously untapped sources, including foundations and corporate matching gift programs,” said Passerini, who has extensive fundraising experience with non-profit organizations. “Our goal is to maximize every available opportunity for private-sector support of our schools. We are poised and ready to launch a major fundraising effort. It’s our hope that the community will embrace and support the mission of the Foundation.” The Foundation’s fundraising efforts will initially focus on two key projects. The first is to raise funds for a Sparta High School football and baseball playing fields, artificial turf, lights, stadium and press box. The Foundation’s second project is to provide funding for Lecture 123, an interactive tool for teachers to digitally record their lessons during class time, and make those recordings available to students later via a secure web portal. Teachers may use the same portal to provide other written, audio or video materials to supplement collaborative learning. The Foundation will work closely with local businesses to raise awareness and funding for the school district. Nouvelle Associates, the developers of the New Sparta Theatre, John Monsport, the new proprietor of the theatre and Concrete, Stone & Tile, are joining forces with the Foundation in a unique fundraising project. The project, called Pathways to Excellence, will allow individuals and local businesses to purchase bricks in a variety of sizes and provide a personal message to be engraved on the brick. The bricks will surround the theatre the New Sparta Theatre, which is set for completion in 2007. There will be a limited number of large-sized bricks that will accommodate company logos at the entrance to the theatre which has the most visibility. This will be reserved for platinum sponsors. All proceeds will benefit the Foundation. “Pathways to Excellence” will offer our community a unique and lasting opportunity to celebrate the past, and to be a part of the future of a true Sparta landmark while demonstrating support for our public schools,” said Schroepfer. Additionally, the Sparta Town Council agreed to donate bricks from the soon-to-be-demolished Sparta Municipal Building – which was the original First Consolidated Sparta schoolhouse built in 1913 -- to the Foundation. The Foundation will have plaques engraved highlighting the history of the building. The commemorative bricks will be available for townspeople to purchase as an historical keepsake. “Many folks have already come forward requesting items be preserved from the building as historical memorabilia. I can’t think of a better way to preserve Sparta’s history, while at the same time contributing to its future, than to take part in this special preservation fundraiser,” said Sparta Mayor Manny Goldberg. For information about the Foundation – how to donate, volunteer for a committee, or participate in a fundraiser – please call 877-472-1731 or email: president@spartaeducationfound­ation.org.