PND (4/25/2000) -- Florida School Choice Fund Benefits School Voucher Program

A $1.5 million donation to a Tampa Bay program that awards private school scholarships to poor children has developed into a statewide foundation, the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel reports.

John Kirtley, a Tampa investor, made the initial $1.5 million gift two years ago. Since then, Kirtley has raised an additional $2 million, contributing $500,000 of his own money and attracting $1.5 million in anonymous donations to form the seed funding for the Florida School Choice Fund. The fund, which has been operating since January, awards grants to inner-city private schools seeking to expand in order to qualify for the state's school voucher program. Grants from the fund are used to bankroll classroom renovations and construction, teacher recruitment, and the purchase of books, computers, and supplies. Thus far, 35 area schools have received funding.

"Recently, opponents [of] school choice have been perpetuating the myth that there is no room for opportunity scholarship students in private schools; this proves they are wrong," Kirtley said. "Whenever you create funded demand for something, providers need time and capital to furnish supply. The response of these schools shows that if school choice is given a chance, private schools will respond with spaces."

Kleindienst, Linda. "Statewide Foundation Seeks to Help Private Schools Accommodate Voucher Students." Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel 4/20/2000.

FC003333