The State Board of Education is about $4.5 million short of meeting its commitment to match $18 million in federal dollars for the Gear Up program through 2012.
For information about contributions, contact Decker Sanders at the State Board of Education, 334-2270.
Gear Up, a program aimed at getting low-income Idaho middle school students ready for college, has received an infusion of cash and other support that will keep it alive for at least another year.
Idaho colleges and several foundations, including the Micron Technology Foundation and the Idaho Community Foundation, have pledged $2.2 million to the federal-state program in the last few months as Gear Up appeared headed for the chopping block for lack of support.
Other organizations also pledged dollars and support to help the program.
The State Board of Education will recognize contributors at a news conference at 1:15 p.m. Thursday at the board office, 650 W. State St.
In September, Gov. Butch Otter threatened to end the Gear Up program if the State Board of Education couldn't show him how it was going to come up with $18 million - it's share of the $36 million state-federal six year program. Some support was already pledged, but the board is still $4.5 million short.
Otter worried the state could end up owing the feds money if the program didn't get matching dollars from Idahoans.
Otter "is impressed with the effort they have put forth," said spokesman Jon Hanian about the state board's effort to save Gear Up.
If State Board President Milford Terrell "believes this program can be saved as outlined by the governor, I think we are inclined to allow him time to do that," Hanian said. "I don't think we can definitely say it has been saved yet. But it is moving in the right direction."
The Idaho Community Foundation has pledged $400,000 to Gear Up, $200,000 this year and another $200,000 over the next two years. It is one of the largest commitments the foundation has ever made, said Cathy Silak, foundation president and CEO.
Gear Up offers the "ability to make fundamental change happen for many students who otherwise would not have the educational support or the dollars available to go to college," Silak said.
Gear Up is in 22 middle schools in Idaho. The program sets kids on a rigorous college prep curriculum, helps parents understand how to get financial aid for their students who want to attend college and promises scholarships to students who successfully complete the program when they graduate from high school.
Bill Roberts: 377-6408
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