Monroe Education Foundation: 'An Opportunity to Get the Community Involved'

Property taxes, state and federal funding are the lifeblood of any public school system, but community grants can help. Thomas Taylor and Lee Crouch believe the new Monroe Education Foundation could raise money for anything from supplies to a turf field.

Taylor, a former Board of Education member, is president of the Board of Trustees, and Crouch, a current school board member, is the vice president.

"It's really an opportunity to get the community involved, to show support for the entire community of Monroe," Crouch said, adding it is also an opportunity for businesses to help the school system.

Taylor and Crouch approached Superintendent of Schools Alan Beitman a few years ago to see how to go about starting an education foundation.

The Monroe Education Foundation has a seven-member board, but bylaws call for nine members.

"The first selectman and superintendent of schools are ex officio members," Taylor said. "They can speak at meetings, but don't have a vote."

The Monroe Education Foundation's first event will be a wine and cheese fundraiser at Crouch's home on Jan. 29.