Art, music programs could get money

By Tonia Noe - Staff Writer

February 19, 2007 05:03 pm

— Thanks to the Airborne Teacher Trust Fund, some schools in the Rowan County School District will receive funds for art and music programs.
Teachers are now eligible to apply for grants ranging from $200 to $10,000 to implement programs during the 2007 school year.
Superintendent Marvin Moore said he is always pleased to hear the county has a chance to take part in grant money projects.
“Anytime the school district is to get any type of grant to benefit our students, it’s a wonderful thing,” he said.
According to a recent report in USA Today, Kentucky is spending $5,922 on art and music programs for each student, which is below the national average of $6,835.
Shirley Burge, Rowan County Early Childhood Programs coordinator, said individual schools within the district could apply for the grants based on need.
The Airborne Teacher Trust Fund is a vision of Victoria Knight-McDowell, a former second-grade teacher and creator of Airborne Health Formula.
McDowell believes schools are faced with difficult decisions to cut art and music programs. She said the trust fund is meant to fill the gap and keep students inspired.
In a press release Tuesday from Grassroots Newswire, Elise Donahue, Airborne CEO, said the Airborne Teacher Trust Fund is beginning with an investment of $250,000.
Application information is available at www.airbornetrust.com.