SCHOOL CHOICE COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES
RESCUE FUND FOR CLEVELAND CHILDREN

CLEVELAND, Ohio - School Choice leaders announced plans today to launch a fund-raising campaign to rescue just over 800 student scholarships for Cleveland children. Their plan comes as a response to a recent ruling by Federal Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. Judge Oliver first shut down the Cleveland School Choice Plan on August 24th, one day before school began. His original action left over 4000 students without a school to attend. Last week the Judge rescinded part of his original injunction but still left just over 800 students stranded - without funding for their scholarships.

The Rescue Fund announced today will be dedicated to pay the tuition bills for these 800 stranded students who are enrolled in private schools across the city of Cleveland.

Bert Holt and David Zanotti, Co-Chairs of The School Choice Committee, released the following statement on the Scholarship Rescue Fund:

"The Scholarship Rescue Fund is an opportunity for Clevelanders, Ohioans, and the nation to come to the aide of these deserving children and their parents who deserve the right to choose their schools. The Ohio General Assembly has voted for this Program three separate times and two Governors have signed it into law. Since last March these parents have been expecting to use their scholarships as promised. We cannot permit the political prejudices of a single Federal Judge destroy educational opportunities for these children.

We call upon all Clevelanders, Ohioans and Americans to help us rescue the dreams of these children by making a financial commitment to The Scholarship Rescue Fund."

The Scholarship Rescue Fund's initial goal is $1.5 to $2 million dollars, which will cover the tuition costs of the 800 stranded children.

The School Choice Committee will administer the Fund. All funds will be held in escrow and dedicated solely for the payment of tuition bills for children in the Cleveland Scholarship Program. Tuition payment will go directly to parents who will then pay up to $2250 to the school of their choice.

Contributions can be made by check to: The School Choice Committee and sent to P.O. Box 391494, Cleveland, OH 44139.

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