School Business Partnerships

Facts about SBP

• 18th year of the School Business Partnership Program
• Started in 1991 as a department of the Anchorage School District
• Program became a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in February 1997
• Board of Directors composed of representatives of ASD and business community
• Elections held in March with 3-year term
• Advisory Board and Honorary Board are non-voting representatives
• Supported by the Anchorage School District and the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce
• Financial support from ASD and business grants/sponsorships
• Chamber role is encouragement to its membership to participate, articles in its newsletter, partnership focus at “Make It Monday” luncheons, recognition, luncheon coordination as well as promotion of all programs
• All types of partnerships are in place, no parameters other than positive educational involvement
• Partnerships are made official with a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA).
• MOA’s are non-binding and do not expire unless either party chooses; should be reviewed annually
• New partnerships formed each month
• Secondary schools have SBP coordinators to create, maintain and nurture partnerships
• 7 middle schools and 1 high school offered School Business Partnership classes in 2008-09 under the Career and Technology Education department
• School Business Partnership classes follow an entrepreneurial model, a service learning model or a combination of both
• Currently over 500 partnerships
• Over 380 businesses, non-profits and governmental agencies involved
• 48,440 students impacted; over 900 school staff involved; and over 1,000 business people involved
• Host of the 2001 National Partners in Education Symposium
• 2005-06 Winner of the Council for Corporate and School Partnerships “National School and Business Partnerships” award (given to 6 programs nationally)
• Partnership Press newsletter produced and distributed electronically in fall, winter and spring
• Best Practices publication produced and printed annually for End of Year Recognition Luncheon
• Annual evaluation of partnerships done in May/June

Annual growth and economic worth (mostly in-kind):

• 1991/92 - 28 Partnerships - $140,000
• 1991/92 - 28 Partnerships - $140,000
• 1992/93 - 54 Partnerships - $270,000
• 1993/94 - 90 Partnerships - $350,000
• 1994/95 - 120 Partnerships - $500,000
• 1995/96 - 190 Partnerships - $900,000
• 1996/97 - 260 Partnerships - $1,225,000
• 1997/98 - 360 Partnerships - $1,750,000
• 1998/99 - 400 Partnerships - $2,000,000
• 1999/00 - 450 Partnerships - $2,250,000
• 2000/01 - 475 Partnerships - $2,300,000
• 2004/05 –425 Partnerships - $2,000,000
• 2005/06 - 250 Partnerships - $2,250,000
• 2006/07 - 540 Partnerships - $2,500,000
• 2007/08 - 450 Partnerships - $2,250,000
• 2008/09 - 500+ Partnerships - $2,500,000

• The Goal - Continue to develop quality partnerships for the benefit of all Anchorage School District students and staff; to foster positive working relationships with businesses; to assist in employability and work force development; to continue building bridges of understanding between educational institution and the community leading to better citizens and better employees