The Take: On schools getting corporate money
April 15, 2009
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Patty Winsa
STAFF REPORTER
The Toronto District School Board has struck its first agreement with a corporate donor, just two months after adopting a policy that opened the door to private donations.
Future Shop is giving the board $100,000 to build or refurbish computer labs in two secondary schools in less-affluent neighbourhoods.
In February, the board decided to allow a modest sign or plaque to be placed outside an area of a school, such as gym or library, built using private donations. But Future Shop has also requested that the walls be painted grey with a red stripe — the company's colours.
The deal will be discussed at a meeting tomorrow night.
"This seems to be stretching things a bit," says Trustee Bruce Davis.
PRO
TDSB chair John Campbell says Future Shop's donation will help,
especially since the province has cut funding for textbooks and
classroom computers.
But Campbell acknowledges the deal was in the works before the board learned the funding had been cut.
"The fact that we've had a bit of a budget setback I suppose adds to those that would say there is a need."
If
the agreement with Future Shop is derailed, "we would also then forfeit
the receipt of some very welcome financial donations to help make these
schools better places."
CON
Trustee Cathy Dandy thinks the implications of accepting corporate donations are far-reaching.
"If
we're going to move into an area where we're going to actively solicit
private donations and look at ways to market ourselves as opposed to
building good local schools, I think there should be some public
debate."
Besides painting the lab grey and red, the company also
requests that schools receiving the grants be within seven kilometres
of a Future Shop.
"I believe if we want to fund public education
then it has to be something that benefits all. It's not whichever
school Future Shop is located nearest to. That is not a public
standard."
Toronto Star