NEWS RELEASE - Norwin School District

NEWS RELEASE

MARCH 7, 2014 NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT 281 MCMAHON DRIVE NORTH HUNTINGDON, PA 15642 CONTACT: Mr. Jonathan D. Szish, Coordinator of School and Community Relations, 724-861-3000 ext. 1150 or [email protected]

NORWIN EMBARKS ON LONG-TERM FUND-RAISING APPROACH School District to Follow College and University Model for Fund-Raising and Philanthropy NORTH HUNTINGDON, Pa. –– Norwin School District is taking steps to follow the college and university model of fund-raising and philanthropy to sustain quality educational programs and services far into the future. The School District educates approximately 5,200 students, with a current budget of about $61.9 million. With the cost of providing a premier academic program rising each year, investigating new potential funding sources makes sense, according to officials with the School District and its affiliated 501c3 nonprofit organization, the Norwin School District Community Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to develop programs and activities benefiting Norwin School District students, to develop and increase community philanthropy, to develop and administer scholarship funds for graduates of Norwin School District, and to support educational programs. At its February meeting, the Norwin School District Community Foundation Directors expressed satisfaction with its current role of facilitating scholarships and encouraging innovative educational programs. The Directors are proud of Norwin’s legacy of providing quality educational experiences to prepare students for any post-high school experience. The Directors are also aware that future state funding may not be sufficient to maintain the many learning experiences that currently benefit Norwin students, according to Dr. Jack Boylan, NSDCF President. “The Directors appear poised to act on its mission to develop and increase community philanthropy,” Dr. Boylan said. With a desire to maintain Norwin School District as a top-tier school system, the Foundation Directors have decided to pursue alternate revenue sources to become a safety net for Norwin School District should there be a time in the future that learning opportunities are threatened due to financial deficiencies. The Norwin School District Community Foundation, for example, will be the conduit for accepting tax-deductible donations that will provide continuity and sustainability for long-term investments of Norwin educational programs and services. Budgetary goals will be met through continuous efforts to secure funds through the state’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, charitable gifts, annual giving and endowments under a long-range plan of monetary support. Business, education, and community partnerships will be an integral part of this sustainability plan. It is anticipated that following this national model will provide wise investments and support to sustain K-12 public education programs and services for the benefit of all students. This approach is consistent with Norwin School District’s Seven Guiding Principles for Academic and Financial Success. One of the Principles is to “make educational and financial investments based on best practices, proven methods, and strategies for long-term success.” Another is to “enhance the quality of educational programs and services for all students.” In addition to the Foundation, the Norwin School District Board of Education and Administration are also supporting this approach. In February, a majority of School Board members approved an agreement with Bob Carter Companies Fundraising & Philanthropy to help the District begin a fund-raising and capital campaign. The $142,000 cost is an investment in the longer-term goals of the School District. Fund-raising costs incurred at the beginning of the project are similar in nature to up-front costs incurred when a bond issue has been undertaken in the past as part of the School District’s building renovation/new construction projects. Bob Carter Companies has worked with educational institutions such as Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation, as well as nonprofits in western Pennsylvania and across the country. The company has provided assistance to colleges and universities such as Pitt, Carlow, Chatham, Duquesne, LaRoche, Point Park and Robert Morris; private schools such as Winchester Thurston; and major non-profits such as the Children's Home of Pittsburgh, Phipps Conservatory, and the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. Next Page, Please

An initial goal of the fund-raising and capital campaign is to pay for construction of a proposed new facility for the Norwin campus called the Norwin STEM Innovation Center. It is envisioned that the proposed STEM Center will enable High School students to explore STEM career pathways and work hand-in-hand with Norwin teachers and mentors from business and industry on authentic projects in an environment that promotes entrepreneurship, innovation, creativity, and cross-curricular work. Dr. William Kerr, Superintendent of Schools for Norwin School District, said the STEM Center project has influenced the School District to follow the college and university model of philanthropy. However, the approach goes well beyond the STEM Center toward creating an ongoing culture of philanthropy, in cooperation with the leadership and hard work of the Norwin School District Community Foundation, which will support quality educational programs and services at Norwin School District far into in the future. “Fund-raising and philanthropy are new approaches for K-12 education,” Dr. Kerr said. “It’s a paradigm shift in the way we think, the way we must operate, and we’re optimistic this can be accomplished given the extraordinary interest in STEM education and maintaining quality educational programs and services into the future. This is a public-private partnership that is solely about the future of our students and the workforce quality skills they need to thrive and survive in the 21st century workplace.” In a related matter, the Norwin School District recently submitted its Business Plan to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program funds in the amount of $2.5 million, which is considered the financial catalyst for raising required matching funds as well as the remaining funds for the construction of the stateof-the-art STEM Center. The School District will be responsible for programming, curricula, and staffing needs in the future as part of its business and sustainability plans.

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