A. As a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt all-inclusive organization, the East Side Elementary Foundation (ESEF) offers tax advantages for donors. Types of donations include those from matching grants, corporations, parents, grandparents, faculty, community individuals, and memorial gifts.

If you (or your spouse) are employed by a company that participates in the Matching Grant Program, your gift to the Foundation may be matched or even doubled by your employer. Contact your corporate employee relations office for their matching gift procedures.
Please make your tax-exempt donations payable to "East Side Elementary Foundation, Inc." and send to:

East Side Elementary Foundation, Inc.
Attention: John Taylor, President
3850 Roswell Road
Marietta, GA 30062

You may also deliver your donation to your teacher(s) and they can put in our Foundation box located at the school. If your company uses a matching contribution form, please include that also.

We appreciate your support and thank you in advance for your generous contribution.

A. When your business or company:
* donates $1,000 or more of In Kind products or services or
* makes a $1,000 or greater monetary contribution or
* contributes $1,000 or more through company matching grants,

we will host your company logo and contact information on our Sponsor web page for the current fiscal year (July through June). Our Sponsor web page is located at East Side Elementary School Foundation

A. There are no "members" of the foundation. There are constituencies that the foundation benefits, namely the school and the children who attend the school.

By association, the parents, teachers, school administration and the surrounding community also benefit from the foundation's expenditures. In determining how to best help the school and the children, the board will seek general input from the parents, teachers and administration.

The best way to think of it is like a charity (i.e. the American Cancer Society) with 3 separate, distinct steps:

1. A donor makes a contribution to the foundation. Other than a tax deduction and recognition of the gift, the donor receives no benefit.
2. The Foundation, through research that includes feedback from parties close to the foundation beneficiaries (the school and children), determines how funds are allocated to various programs.
3. These programs are then enacted and benefit the stated beneficiaries (the school and the children who attend the school).

A. We will use this website, direct flyers, email and/or a newsletter to communicate with our parents, teachers, sponsors and partners.

A. Cobb County will not provide positions to local schools for language classes, as it is not in the State’s Curriculum at the elementary school level. Local schools have no funds available to pay salary of an employee and may not hire individuals without county approval. PTA may not pay for salary of an employee. Foundations are one of only a few sources that can provide extra teacher positions to the school. Some other sources involve grants. Grants, however, are sometimes less appealing due to length of time before approval, monetary limitations, and time constraints. Teachers write grants through the year for specific programs that impact student achievement. These grants may not always support programs or the curriculum in multiple grade levels. Regardless of the funding source, any new employee must apply and be screened through the county before an employment offer is made. The county pays their salaries and the Foundation must reimburse the county.

A. Money within the county maintenance department related to school structural and landscaping upgrades is strictly budgeted. The county prioritizes where the money should be spent based upon the needs of specific schools. For example, the county no longer supplies pine straw as ground cover to the local schools. Beautification of the school campus relies solely upon the school, parents, or Partners in Education. The county provides for the maintenance and upkeep of the landscaping through the Grounds Department. They have had to adjust their budgets like every department within the school system due to the economy. While we may eventually be scheduled to receive particular upgrades inside and out, the timeline may be lengthy and the repairs/needed improvements may worsen. The county works cooperatively with the school to make minimal repairs as the school waits for extensive repair. Many of the schools noticed to have “curb appeal” have been landscaped by outside sources. The Foundation can seek input from all stakeholders to determine what the priorities are regarding improvements to the school. The county grounds and maintenance department can work with the school to help us prioritize our list. It is a matter of wanting it now or are we willing to wait?

A. Yes, the percentage is to be determined, but will probably be in the 25% range.

A. Public session meeting minutes will be kept and posted on this website.

A. Absolutely!!! The staff drafted and signed the attached letter showing their support, as the Foundation was formed in 2005.

A.