CEO donations to public schools from Mark Zuckerberg

“Going to a school with boarded up windows and broken glass should not be a part of our education experience. A child’s biggest fear at school should be their next exam, not weapons or the kid sitting next to them.”

Recently students at Barringer High School in Newark walked out of class in protest, saying their school is unsafe and unsanitary.

According to The Star-Ledger on 10/11/10, “It’s like a jungle, some students say. Barringer High School in Newark is out of control.  Inside the three-story building of about 1,300 students, rats and roaches roam the hallways. So do random trespassers, students complain: about 29 different doors lead inside the school, which anyone can enter. At least a dozen different gangs recruit students. Last month, authorities said a 17-year-old boy sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl inside a classroom after school.”

In hopes of helping to reform Newark Schools, Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, created a Foundation for education.  He has announced his donation of $100 million grant to Newark Schools! He sold $100 million of his own Facebook stock sold for cash to fund the Newark schools according to an article by the Huffington Post. This money planned to be spent on innovative programs over the next five years.  Although Mark Zuckerberg is donating the money from his foundation, he has no intention of managing that money; that he will leave up to Mayor Cory Booker. Zuckerberg believes he is investing in someone who he has faith could make a large impact on an important issue and has committed to reform Newark’s struggling schools.  Booker has been authorized by Gov. Christie to develop a plan with input from the community.  Mayor Booker feels strongly that the plan must be community-driven.

Zuckerberg says it’s important to him to give back and says he was inspired to do this by his Grandmothers example, who was a teacher and because education helped make him who he is today.

The money is planned to be spent on ‘innovative programs’ over the next 5 years.  Initial plans also include merit pay for teachers and the expansion of Charter Schools.  Mayor Booker contends that it’s not how much money is spent on education, it’s how the money is spent; it must be spent wisely.