[StBernard] ExxonMobil Donates $10 Million to Nola Area Schools

[Westley Annis]

Saying he wants to help schools focus on promoting excellence in teaching
math and science, ExxonMobil Corp. chairman and chief executive officer Rex
Tillerson announced Wednesday a $10 million donation for New Orleans area
schools including part for the St. Bernard school system.
 
"Science, technology, engineering and mathematics, they are the keys to
future innovations'' and will lead to a greater economic future for young
students,'' Tillerson said at a news conference in the library of St.
Bernard Unified School in Chalmette. "Students represent the future of your
community.''
 
The ExxonMobil Foundation will donate the $10 million to New Orleans area
schools, but he didn't break down how much each will receive. Tillerson, of
the Dallas area, said ExxonMobil, which has a refinery in Chalmette, has now
donated a total of $23 million for recovery efforts for Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita. 
 
"We are thrilled that they have made a commitment to help rebuild our school
system, which translates into rebuilding the community,'' St. Bernard
Superintendent of Schools Doris Voitier said afterward. Whatever amount the
system receives, she said, would be used for curriculum improvements,
professional development for teachers and toward facilities.
 
ExxonMobil already has a program in which St. Bernard teachers further
themselves at a math and science academy, Voitier said.
 
The superintendent also said the school system, which projects to have 3,000
students in the fall, more one-third of the pre-Katrina total of 8,800
students, has been supported this year "by people from all over the world,
with donations, prayers and thoughts.''
 
St. Bernard Unified opened in mid-November 2005 at the Chalmette High School
campus. A second school Andrew Jackson, is scheduled to open in August and a
third may be ready during the next school year, Voitier has said.
 
Attending the announcement were numerous ExxonMobil officials as well as St.
Bernard School Board members Diana Dysart, who is president, Joe Long, Bill
Egan and Herman Bonnette; Leslie Jacobs, a member of the state Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education; and officials from the New Orleans
school system.
 
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