Gail Rothman: Raising the Bar and Raising Funds for Education in Newton County - Episode 42
Welcome back to another episode of The Town Square Podcast, where local advocates come together to explore the “messy middle” and aim for unity, not uniformity. This is your host Trey Bailey, and today we are thrilled to welcome back the remarkable Gail Rothman, Executive Director of the Newton Education Foundation (NEF). It’s her second time on the podcast, and we couldn’t resist bringing her back to share the exciting strides the foundation has made in Newton County and to dive into her latest book, Roadmap for Education Foundations: A Practical Guide to Building and Growing K-12 Support.
A Legacy of Impact: The Work of the Newton Education Foundation
The Newton Education Foundation has been hard at work, raising close to half a million dollars through donations, grants, and the Georgia Peach Tax Credit. In this episode, Gail takes us through some of their recent achievements, including:
$100,000 in teacher grants: With contributions from the community, NEF has been able to provide much-needed funding directly to teachers for innovative classroom projects.
The REAP Literacy Pilot: One of the key highlights of NEF’s recent work is the implementation of the REAP literacy pilot in local schools, which focuses on improving literacy outcomes for students in Newton County.
Support for Career Academy: The foundation also played a crucial role in securing $100,000 in funding for the Newton County Career Academy’s new animal science building, helping to ensure our students have access to top-tier career-focused education.
A Conversation on the Power of Community Support
One of the central themes of the conversation is the growing need for community-driven funding in public education. With state and federal funding for schools often falling short, foundations like NEF are filling the gap by raising money that goes directly back into local schools. The Peach Tax Credit, in particular, has become a game-changer, with individuals and businesses able to designate a portion of their tax dollars to support NEF’s initiatives. Gail and Trey dive into how this program works and how it’s helping the foundation achieve incredible results.
Gail’s New Book: A Must-Read for Education Advocates
In addition to her incredible work with the Newton Education Foundation, Gail is now an author. Her new book, Roadmap for Education Foundations, is a practical guide for communities looking to start or strengthen their own education foundations. The book provides invaluable insights into building a strong educational support system, drawing on Gail’s decades of experience in nonprofit management. In this episode, Gail talks about her experience writing the book alongside co-author Robin Callahan, and shares what readers can expect to learn from it. If you’re passionate about education, community engagement, or nonprofit work, this book is a must-read.
Uncovering the Heart of Nonprofits and Education Foundations
Trey and Gail also discuss the importance of nonprofit leadership and the critical role of professional staff. Many education foundations start off as volunteer-run organizations, but as Gail points out, having a dedicated executive director makes all the difference. With the right leadership, NEF has been able to raise more funds, build stronger community relationships, and bring about lasting change in Newton County’s educational landscape.
Thanking Our Sponsors
This episode of The Town Square Podcast is brought to you by two incredible local organizations that are making a difference in our community.
SCB Construction Group
Website: scbcg.com
Address: 8460 Dr. M.L. King Jr Ave, Suite 101, Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 678-212-2190
SCB Construction Group is a top contractor specializing in commercial projects of all sizes, from manufacturing facilities to sports complexes. They’re committed to excellence and are proud to be a part of Newton County’s growth.
Main Street Land and Properties
Website: mslap.com
Address: 2141 Emory Street, Covington, GA 30014
Phone: 770-787-5520
Main Street Land and Properties is your trusted partner for all real estate needs in Covington. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell, or manage property, Main Street provides expert guidance and a seamless experience.
Support The Town Square Podcast
If you enjoy the content we bring to you on The Town Square Podcast, please consider supporting us. Your donations make it possible for us to continue bringing local, meaningful conversations to Newton County. You can donate via our website here. Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a small recurring donation, every bit helps!
For more information about the Newton Education Foundation, or to support their work, visit their website at www.NewtonEducationFoundation.org.
If you would like more information on the Newton Education Foundation, the Georgia Peach Tax Credit, the Callahan Collaborative, or any other topic covered in the podcast, reach out to Gail at Gail@NewtonEducationFoundation.org.
We also encourage you to like, subscribe, and share this episode on social media. Help us spread the word and continue these important conversations!
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Episode Highlights:
Raising nearly half a million dollars for Newton County Schools
The role of the Peach Tax Credit in funding education
Supporting literacy through the REAP pilot program
A conversation about nonprofits and the importance of professional staff
Gail Rothman’s new book and its impact on education foundations
We hope you enjoy this insightful episode with Gail Rothman and continue to support the Newton Education Foundation’s incredible work in Newton County!
Links to other things mentioned:
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