Mayor Launches Education Initiative
Nonprofit Gets $500,000 Grant
POSTED: 6:36 pm PST December 16, 2009
UPDATED: 6:49 pm PST December 16, 2009
UPDATED: 6:49 pm PST December 16, 2009
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson wants the city to have one of the finest public education systems in the nation.
That's the goal of STAND UP -- a brand-new initiative that was launched Thursday.
A $500,000 grant will kick start the first phase of the new nonprofit's development.
It will focus on in raising academic achievement and college completion rates by advocating, supporting, and developing excellent public schools.
The seed money comes from a national philanthropy group -- the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.
"They have selected very few cities to invest in, financially. And Sacramento is one that's going to receive $500,000. Our goal is to raise another $500,000 to match that, which will give us a million dollars to do great things in Sacramento," Johnson said.
The mayor said he's looking for a new education liaison -- someone who will work with STAND UP and area superintendents to make sure students benefit.
