New organization hosts inaugural event in hopes of raising funds for local students

Thursday marked the inaugural event for the Wicomico County Education Foundation in Salisbury.  The group was organized to raise additional funding for the county's public schools.

The group, which began a year ago by several folks from the Greater Salisbury Committee, and the Chamber of Commerce, decided to form a public-private partnership to help school's purchase things that were not in the budget.

It has raised $16,000 just this week, and are challenging supporters to do their best to pitch in.

"I think that bettering our school system, not that it's a bad school system, it's a good school system, but it could be a great school system.  If we could find the monies to meet some of the needs that are pretty pressing today," said Susan Purnell, chair of the Wicomico County Education Foundation.

The county public schools has some big goals for the near future.  Superintendent Dr. Donna Hanlin listed the four major goals they hope to meet by 2022.

Those goals include universal Pre-K, increased specialized programs specifically in middle school, expanding the arts, and maintaining the best possible workforce.

"We need strong teachers, we need a consistent workforce," said Hanlin.  "And we do that through salaries and benefits, but also through mentoring programs and support for teachers and other staff in their work environments."

The foundation says they do not have a specific financial goal in mind.  You can find out more about the Wicomico Education Foundation and it's goals at greatersalisbury.org.