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Background
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EduPAC is a nonpartisan, independent political organization governed by a Board of
Directors composed of volunteers from the business, civic and faith-based communities.
The EduPAC Board reconvenes every four years to endorse and advocate for a slate of credible and competent candidates who will provide effective governance to the Atlanta
Public School System and to educate the public regarding the importance of the role
of school board members.
- EduPAC recommended a slate of candidates in the 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2005 election cycles.
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Mission
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The mission of EduPAC is to be Atlanta's foremost change agent and leader in the journey
to elect quality school board leadership for the Atlanta Board of Education.
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Historical Sketch
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Atlanta’s business community has historically been supportive of the city’s public
schools through partnership programs, special programming, human resources, etc.
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Although such initiatives were valuable, they were incapable of instituting systemic
reform from a policy level.
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The 1993 elections presented an opportunity for the business community to identify
and support credible, competent, and experienced individuals to effectively govern
Atlanta’s 52,000-student public school system.
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Hence, the birth of EduPAC. In 1993, the Board of Directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber
voted to establish a political action committee to improve governance in the Atlanta
Public Schools, which at the time was labeled “a zoo on public television.”
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Although initially a Metro Atlanta Chamber initiative, EduPAC was established
as an independent entity with a separate Board of Directors.
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In 2001 and 2005, EduPAC significantly enhanced its efforts through the addition of
other community stakeholders to broaden community representation.
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Board of Directors |
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A diverse group, both in ethnicity and gender, of influential executives representative
of the Atlanta community
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Well-connected to the city’s grassroots and political players
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EduPAC Outcomes |
- 2005 Election
- 7 of 9 EduPAC endorsed candidates elected
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- 2003 Special Election
- EduPAC endorsed candidate was elected
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2002 Special Election
- EduPAC endorsed candidate was elected
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- 2001 “Make An Educated Choice” Program
- 8 of 9 EduPAC endorsed candidates were elected
- The legendary baseball great Hank Aaron helped with the public awareness campaign
and former Ambassador Andy Young assisted
with the phone banking.
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- 1997 “Erase the Board"
- 9 of 9 EduPAC endorsed candidates elected
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1993 “You Get What You Vote For”
- 8 of 9 EduPAC endorsed candidates elected
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Legal/Official |
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EduPAC is registered with the Georgia State Ethics Commission as an independent
committee for the 2009 election. The organization files regular disclosure reports
on its receipts and disbursements with the Ethics Commission. The names and mailing
addresses of all contributors are listed on these reports along with the occupations
and employers of individual contributors.
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Contributions to EduPAC are not tax deductible. Under applicable law, contributions
may be made to EduPAC by most corporations, individuals and state political action
committees in any amount.
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Under federal law, national banks and foreign nationals (including individuals who
are not U.S. citizens or who have not been admitted to permanent U.S. residence) may
not contribute to EduPAC. Under state law, public utility companies and their PACs
may not contribute to EduPAC.
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