Monica D'Antonio - NORRISTOWN AREA EDUCATION FOUNDATION
Last Thursday, Club Vice President Monica D'Antonio spoke to us about her involvement with the Norristown Area Education Foundation. Monica is the Executive Director of the organization which is dedicated to raising supplemental funds to help cover activities that are outside the regular funding budget of the Norristown School System. Some of those activities are transportation for extracurricular activities, added sports, arts, music functions, theater, mental health programs, field trips, and extra teacher resources.
Monica pointed out that the school system is burdened with many mandates from state and federal governments, such as special ed programs, education for all regardless of language abilities, and dealing with those with mental disabilities. These mandates are not always fully funded, thus requiring higher budgetary obligations, and reducing funds available for the other functions. This where the NAEF steps in to help keep those activities available to the students.
The group works to maintain financial stability for the extra functions by planning for whatever budgetary cutbacks there may be in the future. They are always looking at new ways to raise the necessary cash for these functions. NAEF is funded through fundraising events, grants, and local sponsors.
Check out their webpage at: https://www.nasdedfoundation.org on how you can contribute.
Thank you, Monica for this informative talk.