New Jersey Schools Find "More Creative" Ways To Raise Money

The AP (11/1) reports that as state budget cuts chip at funding for "academic and extracurricular programs" in New Jersey public schools this year, "educators are getting more creative in looking for ways to fund projects they see as important to student education." Last week, a school in Folsom auctioned off student-made scarecrows, "with part of the proceeds going to help support the school's new positive-behavior program." And, at William Davies Middle School in Hamilton Township, "about 40 people paid $10 each for a one-hour Zumba workout so music students at the school can travel to festivals." Some teachers and schools are also looking at more traditional funding sources like grants and recycling programs.