District halts cash-for-grades fundraiser

GOLDSBORO, N.C., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- The Wayne County, N.C., school system has shut down a plan to raise money for a middle school by selling grades, officials said.

The Rosewood Middle School initially endorsed the plan after parent Deborah Breedlove came up with the idea of students getting extra credit on tests for a $20 donation, The (Raleigh, N.C.) News & Observer reported Thursday.

The cash-strapped school was looking for creative ways to raise money for badly needed equipment, Breedlove said.

"Our intentions were not to sell grades," Breedlove said. "Our intention is to help our school raise money, which every school has to do."

The county school system, however, Tuesday told Rosewood officials to halt the fundraiser and return any money raised. District officials are investigating the fundraiser and may take more action, school board member Shirley Sims said.

"I think we're walking in treacherous waters when we ask students to bring money to pay for an activity that's related to the learning process," Sims said.