March 2007: Dispatches
BEAVERTON
Sports giant Nike began
a five-year program to donate $9 million to area schools. In
what Bob Applegate, Nike’s Oregon communications
director, calls a natural evolution of Nike’s commitment
to schools, the company plans to give grants each year to the
Portland, Beaverton or Hillsboro public school systems. Portland Public Schools,
first to receive a $1 million donation, will use the money to
start a summer kindergarten academy for students identified as
needing an extra boost before first grade. Portland will also
put business managers in high schools who will help principals
with the day-to-day managerial tasks of running a school.
Applegate explained the annual grants would allow schools to
implement innovative ideas despite the district’s tight
budgets.
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