Roxbury Foundation for Excellence in Education, Inc.

P.O. Box 45

Succasunna, New Jersey 07876

Phone: (973) 584-6224

E-mail:  info@rfee.org

            QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The Roxbury Foundation for Excellence in Education, Inc. (RFEE) was incorporated in May 2001.  Our mission is to enhance the quality and scope of educational opportunities for the students of the Roxbury Public School District.  This mission is accomplished through our Grant Program.  To date, we have given over $35,000.00 to the Roxbury Public Schools for unique programs created by teachers for their students.  Each year our goal is to increase grant funds available and grant applications for the benefit of the students of the Roxbury School District.  We are an independent, non-profit organization with a Board of Trustees comprised of volunteers from the Roxbury community.

Q – Why is there a need for an educational foundation in Roxbury?

A – An educational foundation will further support the efforts of the Board of Education.  Boards of Education are required by NJ to provide a curriculum that meets the “thorough and efficient education” mandates of the State Department of Education.  An educational foundation will help provide enhancements to the educational programs offered to Roxbury students.

Q – What is the scope of an educational foundation’s responsibility?

A – The scope of a foundation’s responsibility is to support the efforts of the school district, not to supplant them.  A foundation does not subsidize the regular school budget, but rather funds special projects that are consistent with the goals and policies of the Board of Education.

Q - We are already supporting the schools through our taxes.  Why would we want to donate more money to a foundation?

A – While a large percentage of the Roxbury homeowners’ taxes go to supporting the Roxbury School District, they don’t cover everything.  Additional innovative programs can be supported by the RFEE.  Donations to the RFEE are tax deductible.  We hold various fundraisers throughout the year.  See our Website www.rfee.org for information on upcoming fundraisers. You can also support the RFEE in other ways rather than monetary contributions. 

Q – Are there other ways to support the RFEE?

A – The opportunity to donate your time and talent is available through our Board of Trustees.  The Board of Trustees is comprised of 7 – 15 members, 7 of those seats being reserved for:

-         One PTA representative*

-         Three teachers of the district, representing the Elementary, Middle and High School levels*

-         One Board of Education Representative

-         One Town Council representative

-         The Superintendent of the Roxbury School District

-          * Only the PTA representative and one teacher will have voting rights.

Trustees not designated above are elected to a two year term at our annual meeting in June.  These Trustees are volunteers from the community at large and represent businesses, parents of students in the school district and residents.  Trustees are responsible for overseeing the business of the foundation including fundraising, grant application review, distribution of funds raised, public relations with the community and school district, etc.

In addition, community members can help the RFEE establish close ties with the businesses and corporations in our community.  Corporate donations (monies/goods) are an excellent resource for a foundation.  Also due to our non-profit status, many employees can take advantage of corporate matching gift programs.

Q – Has the RFEE had an impact on the Roxbury School District since its incorporation?

A – The RFEE has been extremely successful.  Our first grants were awarded in 2002. Our most recent grant awards for the 2008-2009 school year, totaling $5,080.00, were made possible in part by funds awarded to the RFEE by the Provident Bank Foundation based in Jersey City, NJ.  We are pleased to announce the following programs:

            -  Wildlife Habitat, Roxbury High School

            -  Gardens of India, Eisenhower Middle School

            -  Traveling Journals: Exciting Adventures in Correspondence,

                Lincoln Roosevelt School

            -  Butterflies L/R Style, Lincoln Roosevelt School

            -  Battle of the Books, Lincoln Roosevelt School

            -  I'm a Poet and I Know It, Lincoln Roosevelt School

            -  Notable Americans In US History, Lincoln Roosevelt School

            -  Where Is Flat Stanley?, Jefferson School

            -  Pizza Garden, Nixon School

            -  Digging up the Past, Nixon School