On Guilford County School's Sharon Contreras and the Say Yes to Education Scam

New Guilford County Schools Superintendent Sharon Contreras' = Say Yes to Education, Say Yes Guilford and Say Yes Syracuse = Say Yes now owns Guilford County Schools

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/new-guilford-county-schools.html

John Hammer on new Guilford County Schools Superintendent Sharon Contreras and Say Yes to Education

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/john-hammer-on-new-guilford-county.html

Alan Duncan and Amos Quick; "Through Say Yes to Education in Syracuse, Contreras has worked with her community..."

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/alan-duncan-and-amos-quick-through-say.html

"City of Greensboro, mayor sued over access to public records" by Roch Smith Jr.

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/city-of-greensboro-mayor-sued-over.html

Ponzi needs a new town; Jul 25, 2016 4:59 AM; "Say Yes to Education" program could mean free college for Louisville students"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/ponzi-needs-new-town-jul-25-2016-459-am.html

Just in case any of those involved with Say Yes to Education want to say they didn't know

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/just-in-case-any-of-those-involved-with.html

"Council for Say Yes will hold public meeting Monday"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/friday-november-11-2016-740-pm-council.html

"Newcomers join Greensboro school board this month" and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/12/newcomers-join-greensboro-school-board.html

Dear Donnie Turlington and Mary Vigue; Please explain why Say Yes to Education's money is in Central America

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/02/dear-donnie-turlington-and-mary-vigue.html

An email sent to Say Yes to Education folks this morning;

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/an-email-sent-to-say-yes-to-education.html

John Hammer at the Rhino Times is starting to get the fcukedupness of Say Yes to Education

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/john-hammer-at-rhino-times-is-starting.html

The beginning of the middle of the eventual end of Say Yes to Education in Guilford County

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-beginning-of-middle-of-eventual-end.html

Former City of Greensboro Assistant Manager Mary Vigue used her position to personally profit via Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/former-city-of-greensboro-assistant.html

Guilford school board seeks more information from Say Yes

http://www.greensboro.com/news/schools/guilford-school-board-seeks-more-information-from-say-yes/article_dcde8eee-fcdb-5c3a-99d7-1447ae62d009.html

Interim executive director named for Say Yes to Education Guilford

http://www.greensboro.com/news/local_news/interim-executive-director-named-for-say-yes-to-education-guilford/article_1e112125-23c7-5b2d-86a5-882da9b1e1e9.html

I handed out about 100 fliers of this at the meeting; "Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford Unanswered Questions"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-handed-out-about-100-fliers-of-this.html

It's been about a month since the News and Record hasn't reported Say Yes Guilford has less than $11 million, and charter schools have to pay 100%

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/12/its-been-5-days-and-news-and-record.html

A comment awaiting moderation at Triad City Beat's "Say Yes says maybe to undocumented Guilford students"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-comment-awaiting-moderation-at-triad.html

Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford questions for Monday night at 6 pm

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/say-yes-to-education-and-say-yes.html

Say Yes to Education Red Flag; Mary Vigue; She is about to be in charge of more than $25 million for a 'non-profit' after shafting City of Greensboro employees out of investment fee cuts

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/say-yes-to-education-red-flag-mary.html

Mary Anne Schmitt-Carey; President at Say Yes to Education, Inc.; Professional Fundraising Organization

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/mary-anne-schmitt-carey-president-at.html

Say Yes to Education Independent Contractor Compensation the News and Record's Susan Ladd failed to report

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/say-yes-to-education-independent.html

Say Yes to Education, Inc. (Say Yes), and Say Yes Guilford appears to be a legal Ponzi scheme and/or a Racket

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/say-yes-to-education-inc-say-yes-and.html

How the Triad Business Journal got played for chumps by Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/how-triad-business-journals-reporter.html

On October 3, 2015, Guilford County's Board of Education was shown a "Full Tuition Scholarship Incentive" plan, for every GCS graduate who goes to college

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/on-october-3-2015-guilford-countys.html

Monday, November 16, 2015, I crashed the Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford meeting at Smith High School and passed out fliers asking the following questions;

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/i-crashed-say-yes-to-education-and-say.html

"Guilford commissioners hear update on Say Yes"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/02/guilford-commissioners-hear-update-on.html

Say Yes Guilford Questions for Guilford County Commissioner and School Board Candidates

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/02/say-yes-guilford-questions-for-guilford.html

Ponzi? From Say Yes to Education's 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015 IRS 990 tax form

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/10/from-say-yes-to-educations-712014-to.html

Gag order and censorship for Guilford County teachers by Say Yes to Education and Angela Jackson of Guilford County's Association of Educators

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/gag-order-and-censorship-for-guilford.html

George Weiss doesn't mind using massive leverage and illegal tax avoidance

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/george-weiss-doesnt-mind-using-massive.html

One Dollar; "Resolution Requesting Approval of Lease Agreement with Say Yes to Education"; Tuesday, November 17, 2015

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/one-dollar-resolution-requesting.html

George 'Say Yes to Education' Weiss and Associates;"...the hedge fund portfolio reportedly returned more than 50% per year on an annual basis", except for when it didn't

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/george-say-yes-to-education-weiss-and.html

Susan Ladd's oldest daughter appears to be in line for a Say Yes to Education scholarship

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/susan-ladds-oldest-daughter-appears-to.html

If Say Yes Guilford has $35 million,...

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/if-say-yes-guilford-has-35-million.html

$832,000 Payoff; "Buffalo Public Schools award the contract to Say Yes for community program"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/832000-payoff-buffalo-public-schools.html

Richard (Skip) Moore's misleading statements; "8 Things to Know About "Say Yes To Education"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/richard-skip-moores-misleading.html

Why did the Hartford Chapter of Say Yes close in June 2005?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/why-did-hartford-chapter-of-say-yes.html

Thursday, June 30, 2016; Say Yes to Education's amazing, quite unbelievable investment performance; This is a George Weiss special

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/say-yes-to-educations-amazing-quite.html

Say Yes to Education is a Ponzi scheme; "School year starts in Guilford, but with no Say Yes specialists to help families"

Greensboro's City Council should be ashamed of themselves

for misleading our community

"In February, when Say Yes to Education Guilford requested proposals for an outside group to hire family-support specialists to work with students at 12 schools, leaders hoped to have a contract signed by the end of March and personnel in place at the end of last school year.

But that’s yet to happen. Say Yes still hasn’t inked a contract with a potential vendor to hire anyone.

According to the chapter’s new interim director Donnie Turlington, the plan stalled because the committee overseeing the initiative is looking for a recurring source of money that would pay for the specialists beyond this first year, which is covered.

After Donnie lied through his teeth with full knowledge

the payouts could not be made, months before the story broke

Say Yes National’s $15 million commitment to the Guilford chapter hasn’t changed, he said.

No mention of money Say Yes' money invested in the founder's fund

with most of the investments located in "South America and the Caribbean".

But the committee wants to find money that will help keep the initiative going before the specialists are ever hired and sent into schools.

How much of "Say Yes National’s $15 million commitment to the Guilford chapter"

has been delivered?

One would think a reporter would ask and deliver the information, 

but not at the News and Record, which is a propaganda outlet

which keeps our community in the dark

about actual facts that really matter  

It’s a little unclear yet whether that’s going to be a boon or a stumbling block for the much-heralded program that’s dealt with some blows in the past year, mainly from being unable to live up to some expectations related to its scholarship program.

The Say Yes Guilford Scholarship Board should be ashamed of themselves

for misleading our community

Getting future financing for the specialists would provide stability for the program...

Say Yes is a massive fraud 

committed by those who knew the program was unsustainable

including Guilford County's School Board and Greensboro's City Council

with zero accountability as usual by the News and Record,

while our paper of record kisses local municipal ass

as they try to unload their property in downtown Greensboro

Reached by phone this week, Turlington sounded optimistic about the situation and said he applauded the committee’s desire to focus on long-term sustainability...

Turlington pulled a fast one on Guilford County's kids and their parents,

and should be tarred, feathered and shipped out of town in a trash truck

for misleading so many while knowing what would happen

...Say Yes to Education is a New York-based national education nonprofit with a chapter in Guilford County. The 2015 announcement of the Guilford chapter came with much fanfare after the county raised millions of dollars for scholarships and competed with other cities across the country to nab the partnership.

But since then, things haven’t always gone smoothly.

How much money has Say Yes Guilford actually raised Jessie Pounds?

How much is actually left?

Don't the answers to the former two questions seem important to know?

Say Yes distributed about $5.8 million to fund scholarships for 2,426 graduates from the class of 2016, drawing on money raised from local and regional donors — and spending way more than expected.

Who would have thought?

In response, Say Yes’ scholarship committee introduced a plan to drastically reduce the overall amount of money given. Fewer students will get money for scholarships and many will get less than before.

Turlington has yet to disclose how much the Greensboro Community Foundation 

and the High Point Community Foundation 

are going to take in fees for money management,

which Jessie doesn't know enough about to ask or was told not to

or decided not to to support a Ponzi scheme

With one problem solved, now it’s on to another.

...When or if the family specialists do enter the schools, they’ll help answer questions from families about college scholarships and other topics.

“We have a group we’ve identified that can do the work,” Turlington said. “We don’t have a contract yet, but we feel good about that group and their abilities to help us.”

Contact Jessie Pounds at 336-373-7002 and follow @JessiePounds on Twitter

http://www.greensboro.com/news/local_news/school-year-starts-in-guilford-but-with-no-say-yes/article_2095904a-502f-5a79-b555-bca6d01779b0.html

"Turlington named interim director for Say Yes Guilford

Donnie Turlington, the communications director for Say Yes to Education Guilford, took over as interim executive director last month.

He replaces Nadia Del Valle, who assumed the interim role last winter, following the departure of former executive director Mary Vigue.

...“We’ve got a great team here that’s responded very favorably to my role,” he said.

Turlington’s past experience includes nearly six years working in communications for the city of Greensboro. Before that, he was the director of public relations and digital engagement for Bouvier Kelly, a Greensboro advertising and marketing agency."

http://www.greensboro.com/news/local_news/turlington-named-interim-director-for-say-yes-guilford/article_83e97a7a-fc46-56e2-8e8e-4efe0330ff26.html
.
.
"Say Yes Saying It's Sorry to Guilford, Promising Free Tuition to Cleveland"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/06/say-yes-saying-its-sorry-to-guilford.html

"Certain choices are incompatible with continued existence"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/04/certain-choices-are-incompatible-with.html

Former City of Greensboro Assistant Manager Mary Vigue used her position to personally profit via Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/former-city-of-greensboro-assistant.html

Ponzi? From Say Yes to Education's 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015 IRS 990 tax form

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/10/from-say-yes-to-educations-712014-to.html

Say Yes has a problem; Rhino Times Misinformation on Say Yes to Education; "City Doesn’t Say No to $1 Office Space for SAY YES"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/say-yes-has-problem-rhino-times.html

I crashed the Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford meeting at Smith High School and passed out fliers asking the following questions;

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/i-crashed-say-yes-to-education-and-say.html

Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford are saying they are going to cover the last dollar costs between financial aid and total tuition

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/say-yes-to-education-and-say-yes.html

On October 3, 2015, Guilford County's Board of Education was shown a "Full Tuition Scholarship Incentive" plan, for every GCS graduate who goes to college

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/on-october-3-2015-guilford-countys.html

How the Triad Business Journal got played for chumps by Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/how-triad-business-journals-reporter.html

Say Yes to Education, Inc. (Say Yes), and Say Yes Guilford appears to be a legal Ponzi scheme and/or a Racket

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/say-yes-to-education-inc-say-yes-and.html

Are our local Realtors saying Say Yes to Education is going to pay for everyone in Guilford County's college?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/are-our-local-realtors-saying-say-yes.html

Say Yes has a problem; Rhino Times Misinformation on Say Yes to Education; "City Doesn’t Say No to $1 Office Space for SAY YES"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/say-yes-has-problem-rhino-times.html

Dear Donnie Turlington; Please explain why Say Yes to Education's money is in Central America

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/02/dear-donnie-turlington-and-mary-vigue.html

Say Yes to Education's amazing, quite unbelievable investment performance

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/say-yes-to-educations-amazing-quite.html

George 'Say Yes to Education' Weiss and Associates;"...the hedge fund portfolio reportedly returned more than 50% per year on an annual basis", except for when it didn't

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/george-say-yes-to-education-weiss-and.html

Former City of Greensboro Assistant Manager Mary Vigue used her position to personally profit via Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/former-city-of-greensboro-assistant.html

Gag order and censorship for Guilford County teachers by Say Yes to Education and Angela Jackson of Guilford County's Association of Educators

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/gag-order-and-censorship-for-guilford.html

George Weiss doesn't mind using massive leverage and illegal tax avoidance

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/george-weiss-doesnt-mind-using-massive.html

I crashed the Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford meeting at Smith High School and passed out fliers asking the following questions;

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/i-crashed-say-yes-to-education-and-say.html

Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford are saying they are going to cover the last dollar costs between financial aid and total tuition

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/say-yes-to-education-and-say-yes.html

Former City of Greensboro Assistant Manager Mary Vigue used her position to personally profit via Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

"SAY YES GUILFORD NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SCHOLARSHIP DIRECTOR

NEWS RELEASE;
                 
Oct. 19, 2015  
     
SAY YES GUILFORD NAMES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SCHOLARSHIP DIRECTOR

GUILFORD COUNTY, NC, Oct. 19 – Say Yes to Education Guilford, the non-profit partnership that has committed to provide Guilford County Schools’ students with access to college and other post-secondary scholarships, as well as support services in kindergarten through grade 12, today announced the appointment of Mary F. Vigue as the chapter’s Executive Director. Vigue served most recently as Assistant City Manager of the City of Greensboro.

...Say Yes also announced the hiring of Dr. Kristen Christman, most recently Director of the UNCG Guarantee with the University of North Carolina Greensboro, to serve as the Scholarship Director for Say Yes Guilford. Dr. Christman will be charged with establishing the paperwork, processes and structures for Say Yes Guilford scholarship awards – whose initial recipients will be members of the high school graduating class of 2016."

http://sayyestoeducation.org/uncategorized/press-release/
.
.
"Any officer, department head or employee who has financial interest, direct or indirect, in any proposed contract with the city or in a proposed sale of any land, material, supplies, or services to the city or to a contractor supplying the city, shall make known that interest and shall refrain from ...participating in the making of such contract or sale.

Any officer, department head, or employee who willfully conceals such a financial interest or willfully violates the requirements of this Section shall be guilty of malfeasance in office or position and shall forfeit his office or position.

Violation of this Section with the knowledge expressed or implied of the person or corporation contracting with or making a sale to the city shall render the contract void."

Sec. 4.131. - Conflict of interest: Greensboro Code of Ordinances, City Charter

Mary appears to have applied for the job before July 27, 2015,

meaning she had a direct financial interest in the contract;

.

Mary Vigue advocated for Say Yes to Education 

as a City Assistant Manager and an applicant for the job at the same time

meaning the City Conflict of interest policy was violated

by at least Mary Vigue, and Jim Westmoreland if he was aware

And then, after Mary applied for the job 

and before it was announced that she would run Say Yes Guilford,

she arranged a 1$ lease for herself and her new gig

as an acting City of Greensboro employee;

And the following persons knew it;

All while Mary worked on the Say Yes Operating Committee

as a representative of the City of Greensboro

in violation of the City Charter Conflict of Interest Policy;

Ponzi? From Say Yes to Education's 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015 IRS 990 tax form

http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/223/139/2015-223139858-0cc8b82c-9.pdf

"Weisshorn Re AG Chairman George Weiss commented, "We are thrilled to have someone of Pat's caliber leading our organization. In order to build a world-class reinsurance firm, we were committed to selecting a proven leader with deep knowledge in insurance, reinsurance and the broader capital markets."

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/weisshorn-re-ag-names-patrick-kelleher-chief-executive-officer-244929091.html

Once again, George Weiss is making money on the monies he 'sets aside' 

to send kids to college

and the News and Record won't tell anyone

Total return for the S&P 500 between 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015;  8.231%

with dividends reinvested, but without investment management fees included

https://dqydj.com/sp-500-return-calculator/

Say Yes to Education gave $590,000 to Guilford Education Alliance to "Support Say Yes Implementation;

Weiss made Say Yes to Education $13,395,590 between 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015;

Weiss started with $32,426,079 invested on 7/1/2014;

http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2014/223/139/2014-223139858-0bcbd6d9-9.pdf

Weiss ended up with $42,487,221 on 6/30/2015;

http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2015/223/139/2015-223139858-0cc8b82c-9.pdf

Let's say the average amount of money invested between 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015

was $35 million.

$13,395,590 / $35,000,000 = is about a 38% return for the year.

8.231% of $35 million is about $2,880,850, 

if the money was invested in the S&P 500.

Say Yes to Education wants the IRS and the public to believe 

that his investments outperformed the stock market by about 4.75 times

between 7/1/2014 and 6/30/2015,

even though his publicly available performance doesn't show it.

Weiss made $16,657,004 on less money between 7/1/2013 and 6/30/2014,

ending up with $32,426,079;

http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2014/223/139/2014-223139858-0bcbd6d9-9.pdf

After starting out with about $26 million on 6/30/13;

http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2013/223/139/2013-223139858-0a6d8af5-9.pdf

Being extremely generous, 

let's say the average amount of money invested between 7/1/2013 to 6/30/2014

was $30 million.

$16,657,004

 / $30,000,000 = is about a 55% return for the year

between 7/1/2013 to 6/30/2014

.

The total return for the S&P 500 for the same time frame was 20.588%;

20.588% of $30 million is about $7,764,000, 

if the money was invested in the S&P 500.

Say Yes to Education wants the IRS and the public to believe 

that his investments outperformed the stock market by about twice as much

between 7/1/2013 and 6/30/2014,

and then knocking the trading gains out of the ball park the next year.

Meanwhile, most of the money is still located outside of the United States;

Dear Donnie Turlington and Mary Vigue; Please explain why Say Yes to Education's money is in Central America

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/02/dear-donnie-turlington-and-mary-vigue.html

Say Yes to Education's amazing, quite unbelievable investment performance

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/say-yes-to-educations-amazing-quite.html

George 'Say Yes to Education' Weiss and Associates;"...the hedge fund portfolio reportedly returned more than 50% per year on an annual basis", except for when it didn't

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/george-say-yes-to-education-weiss-and.html

Former City of Greensboro Assistant Manager Mary Vigue used her position to personally profit via Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/former-city-of-greensboro-assistant.html

Gag order and censorship for Guilford County teachers by Say Yes to Education and Angela Jackson of Guilford County's Association of Educators

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/gag-order-and-censorship-for-guilford.html

George Weiss doesn't mind using massive leverage and illegal tax avoidance

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/george-weiss-doesnt-mind-using-massive.html

On Say Yes Guilford "No Means No, But Sometimes So Does 'Say Yes'"

"The huge financial fail of Say Yes Guilford - a program established to help Guilford County families pay college tuition for high school graduates - has sent a giant shockwave through the community and left confusion, questions, finger-pointing, potential lawsuits and hostility in its wake.

Say Yes Guilford currently has $9.2 million on hand

Scott Yost

The program was presented to the community in 2015 as a "win-win" initiative: an endowment-based scholarship program that would pay the "last dollars" of the cost of college after other financial grants and loans were exhausted.

But on Thursday, March 12, ...Say Yes sent an email notification to Guilford County school officials and posted a web announcement for disappointed parents and community contributors that stated that the Say Yes Guilford program was financially unsustainable.

...The group had projected about $900,000 in payouts needed for the first year of operation - the 2016-2017 school year - but, instead, the actual cost of the first year totaled $6.1 million, nearly seven times more than expected.

Say Yes Guilford currently has $9.2 million on hand

Scott Yost

...instead of an expected needed endowment of $70 million, the program required about $550 million.
...the Say Yes statement reads; "While local and national leaders worked in good faith to create a scholarship program in the fall of 2015 that would be available to the class of 2016, the Scholarship Board's review has determined that the current formulas for scholarship awards are not sustainable. 

...with $5.2 million more costs than anticipated in the first year, it's not clear where that money is coming from.  Say Yes has been very secretive about its financial situation, and, presumably, most of the money donated to the nonprofit organization is legally committed to funding the endowment and therefore can't be used to pay costs for the first-year of the program.

...Many students based their decision of where to attend college on the promise of Say Yes money for that institution.  In some cases they chose higher-priced schools than they could have afforded without Say Yes funding, and they may have, for instance, chosen an in-state school largely or only because they had the promise that Say Yes would help cover the cost of their education while there.

Some students are very upset because they gave up scholarships to out-of-state colleges to go to one of the in-state schools that has an agreement with Say Yes.

If the parents and students in those situations had known the money wasn't going to be available for the entire college career of that student, they might have chosen a different college.  Also, in some cases, families who were planning to move to another county or state a year and a half ago have remained in Guilford County because of the promise of Say Yes money years down the line.  In other cases, the highly touted Say Yes program was one of the main reasons families chose to move to Guilford County.

Fewer students will get money from Say Yes for college scholarships 

and many will get less than before 

The biggest cost savings for Say Yes 

comes from cutting off families that make $100,000 or more per year

Say Yes paid about $5.85 million to fund scholarships for 2,426 graduates this year, 

drawing on money raised from local and regional donors, 

and overspending what their model predicted. 

The average payout— about $2,411— is more than expected

Scholarship board Chairman Chuck Cornelio 

said they are hoping to bring costs down to around $1 million per year.

http://www.greensboro.com/news/local_news/say-yes-guilford-scholarship-board-tightens-eligibility-requirements-for-scholarships/article_0e7df471-4278-5bca-ad0e-9ab80e5c55e2.html

...A statement by Marian Steele was typical: "So basically it's a BS program," that post read.  "It was one of the few ways my family could benefit as we earn too much for qualifying for need based financial aid yet we have nowhere near enough to pay out of pocket.  Thanks a lot for nothing!  And WHY is this not being loudly advertised so that kids don't have false hope?!?!?  Super angry [about] this.  If you are going to change the program you have the OBLIGATION to let people know!!!!!!!"

Another expectant beneficiary of the program, Bonnie Thyer, posted, "Seniors needed to know this information last fall when applying to colleges!  They have made decisions based on the promises of this program.  For most it is too late to change or to apply to other colleges.  Very disappointing!!"

...One high-ranking Guilford County Schools official who asked not to be named said: "I am appalled that that organization would come in here and do that to our students.  In the worst case, I would hope they could continue to fund the education of those in college now."

"How in the world could you miss it by that much?" the school official continued.  "If I were a wealthy benefactor and you had come to me and said that that burden would be $500 million, I would say, 'Forget it - you will never raise that much."

Among the many questions now filling the air are whether lawsuits might be filed by those affected families, as well as questions as to whether contributors who have promised money to Say Yes will be obligated to fulfill those pledges now that the program will be different from the one they initially agreed to fund.

...Paul Lessard, the founder and president of the High Point Community Foundation, [is directly responsible for misleading our community, along with Walker Sanders of the Greensboro Community Foundation]

...for some elected officials who voted to show support for the program, one of the big selling points that helped get everyone on board is that it benefited the middle class as well as the needy.

Our elected leaders are directly responsible 

for selling a scam to our county's children and their parents

One Facebook poster, Des Baker, stated:  "How can your program which was touted by our former superintendent and our current superintendent as the best thing to happen to our students all of the sudden change course and fund students that are the 'most in need?'  You do realize that the working class parents are the ones who will suffer, low-income students will already be receiving the most financial aid.  What about the parents and students who make too much to receive aid but don't make enough to pay for the $17000 plus it now costs to attend state school?  Thanks Say Yes, for essentially Saying No to my child."

Back in August, Skip Moore, the former president of the Weaver Foundation, spoke on the major effect the program would have on bringing people and businesses to the area.

Skip Moore lied, and is directly responsible for this mess

"This is as much an economic development program as it is an education program," Moore told the Guilford County commissioners at that time.

...the program was unequivocally sold to the community as a benefit to families of all income levels.

In September 2015, former Superintendent of Guilford County School's Mo Green and wealthy Say Yes founder George Weiss told a packed gymnasium at Ragsdale High School - amidst a sea of cheering kids waiving pom-poms and balloons with confetti falling from above - that the program was there to benefit all of the kids in the gym and in the Guilford County school system.

Mo Green is directly responsible

Say Yes has stated that the organization will release more data and announce the new guidelines by the end of March.  For now, there are a lot of questions hanging in the air.  Among those are how many students have been funded and how much money has been paid out and who will be granted access to the program for the 2017-2018 school year.

Still no detailed data as to who got what, 

and how former Greensboro employees Mary Vigue and Donnie Turlington misled so many, 

with the help of Nancy Vaughan and Tony Wilkins among others

The group may also provide more detail on how this happened.

Not yet

In this, the first year of the program, the 2016-2017 school year, Say Yes is so far only paying for one year - but the program is designed to fund four years of college for a student - so the actual cost, if the full program were implemented would be something close to $6.1 million times four - $24.4 million.  (The actual number would vary according to number of dropouts, class size in the coming years, etc.)  But $24.4 million would use up about half of the endowment, so the figures are even further off than they seem originally.

http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/rhino-times/march-16-2017/2017031501/#8
.

.
Yost on Say Yes Money in the Caymen Islands, Outsized Investment Returns and the School Board's Pat Tillman lying about it

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/yost-on-say-yes-money-in-caymen-islands.html

Next Say Yes to Education victim; "Cleveland schools edge closer to free college for every grad"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/next-say-yes-to-education-victim.html

Say Yes To Education: Are We Witnessing A Trend?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/say-yes-to-education-are-we-witnessing.html

The end of Triad City Beat

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-end-of-triad-city-beat.html

"Say Yes Guilford currently has $9.2 million on hand"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/say-yes-guilford-currently-has-92.html

Some Questions Say Yes Will Not Answer Today Or Ever

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/some-questions-say-yes-will-not-answer.html

I Found The Missing Say Yes Funding

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/i-found-missing-say-yes-funding.html

Say Yes Guilford Needs Your Help

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/say-yes-guilford-needs-your-help.html

Say Yes Guilford Hires Out Of State Public Relations Firm

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/say-yes-guilford-hires-out-of-state.html

Scott Yost on Say Yes to Education; "You Should Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/scott-yost-on-say-yes-to-education-you.html

Say Yes to Education is meeting at the O.Henry Hotel today until 3:30pm, including racial issues

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/say-yes-to-education-is-meeting-at.html

The Rhino's John Hammer takes credit for breaking the Say Yes to Education story

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-rhinos-john-hammer-takes-credit-for.html

Say Yes Guilford's Donnie Turlington on Say Yes to Education funding on March 1, 2017

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/say-yes-guilfords-donnie-turlington-on.html

60,000 print readers read 5,000 Rhino Times per week?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/60000-print-readers-read-5000-rhino.html

The beginning of the middle of the eventual end of Say Yes to Education in Guilford County

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-beginning-of-middle-of-eventual-end.html

Seriously? Seriously?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/seriously-seriously.html

John Hammer at the Rhino Times is starting to get the fcukedupness of Say Yes to Education

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2017/03/john-hammer-at-rhino-times-is-starting.html

Former City of Greensboro Assistant Manager Mary Vigue used her position to personally profit via Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/former-city-of-greensboro-assistant.html

Guilford school board seeks more information from Say Yes

http://www.greensboro.com/news/schools/guilford-school-board-seeks-more-information-from-say-yes/article_dcde8eee-fcdb-5c3a-99d7-1447ae62d009.html

Interim executive director named for Say Yes to Education Guilford

http://www.greensboro.com/news/local_news/interim-executive-director-named-for-say-yes-to-education-guilford/article_1e112125-23c7-5b2d-86a5-882da9b1e1e9.html

An email sent to Say Yes to Education folks this morning;

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/an-email-sent-to-say-yes-to-education.html

I handed out about 100 fliers of this at the meeting; "Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford Unanswered Questions"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/i-handed-out-about-100-fliers-of-this.html

It's been about a month since the News and Record hasn't reported Say Yes Guilford has less than $11 million, and charter schools have to pay 100%

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/12/its-been-5-days-and-news-and-record.html

"Newcomers join Greensboro school board this month" and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/12/newcomers-join-greensboro-school-board.html

A comment awaiting moderation at Triad City Beat's "Say Yes says maybe to undocumented Guilford students"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-comment-awaiting-moderation-at-triad.html

Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford questions for Monday night at 6 pm

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/say-yes-to-education-and-say-yes.html

Friday, November 11, 2016 7:40 pm; "Council for Say Yes will hold public meeting Monday"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/friday-november-11-2016-740-pm-council.html

Say Yes to Education Red Flag; Mary Vigue; She is about to be in charge of more than $25 million for a 'non-profit' after shafting City of Greensboro employees out of investment fee cuts

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/say-yes-to-education-red-flag-mary.html

Mary Anne Schmitt-Carey; President at Say Yes to Education, Inc.; Professional Fundraising Organization

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/mary-anne-schmitt-carey-president-at.html

David Colin; Just Say Yes raises lots of questions

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/david-colin-just-say-yes-raises-lots-of.html

Say Yes to Education Independent Contractor Compensation the News and Record's Susan Ladd failed to report

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/10/say-yes-to-education-independent.html

Say Yes to Education, Inc. (Say Yes), and Say Yes Guilford appears to be a legal Ponzi scheme and/or a Racket

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/say-yes-to-education-inc-say-yes-and.html

How the Triad Business Journal got played for chumps by Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/how-triad-business-journals-reporter.html

On October 3, 2015, Guilford County's Board of Education was shown a "Full Tuition Scholarship Incentive" plan, for every GCS graduate who goes to college

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/on-october-3-2015-guilford-countys.html

Monday, November 16, 2015, I crashed the Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford meeting at Smith High School and passed out fliers asking the following questions;

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/i-crashed-say-yes-to-education-and-say.html

Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford are saying they are going to cover the last dollar costs between financial aid and total tuition

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/11/say-yes-to-education-and-say-yes.html

Triad City Beat Lying to their readers and Guilford County's rising seniors about Say Yes to Education

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2015/12/triad-city-beat-lying-to-their-readers.html

"Guilford commissioners hear update on Say Yes"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/02/guilford-commissioners-hear-update-on.html

Say Yes Guilford Questions for Guilford County Commissioner and School Board Candidates

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/02/say-yes-guilford-questions-for-guilford.html

"Obtain free college tuition by “Saying Yes” to education"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/obtain-free-college-tuition-by-saying.html

"Some parents find it hard to believe their child is now eligible for free college tuition simply because they’re graduating from a public school in Guilford County."

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/some-parents-find-it-hard-to-believe.html

City of Greensboro Public Information Request on Say Yes to Education; "Say Yes to Education designee on the Operating Committee, Scholarship Board and Community Leadership Council"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/city-of-greensboro-public-information_23.html

The News and Record's Jessie Pounds; "Guilford County Schools' seniors can sign up for Say Yes scholarships"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/the-news-and-records-jessie-pounds.html

Ponzi? From Say Yes to Education's 7/1/2014 to 6/30/2015 IRS 990 tax form

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/10/from-say-yes-to-educations-712014-to.html

Dear Donnie Turlington and Mary Vigue; Please explain why Say Yes to Education's money is in Central America

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/02/dear-donnie-turlington-and-mary-vigue.html

Say Yes to Education's amazing, quite unbelievable investment performance

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/say-yes-to-educations-amazing-quite.html

George 'Say Yes to Education' Weiss and Associates;"...the hedge fund portfolio reportedly returned more than 50% per year on an annual basis", except for when it didn't

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/george-say-yes-to-education-weiss-and.html

Former City of Greensboro Assistant Manager Mary Vigue used her position to personally profit via Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/former-city-of-greensboro-assistant.html

Gag order and censorship for Guilford County teachers by Say Yes to Education and Angela Jackson of Guilford County's Association of Educators

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/gag-order-and-censorship-for-guilford.html

George Weiss doesn't mind using massive leverage and illegal tax avoidance

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/george-weiss-doesnt-mind-using-massive.html

One Dollar; "Resolution Requesting Approval of Lease Agreement with Say Yes to Education"; Tuesday, November 17, 2015

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/one-dollar-resolution-requesting.html

George 'Say Yes to Education' Weiss and Associates;"...the hedge fund portfolio reportedly returned more than 50% per year on an annual basis", except for when it didn't

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/george-say-yes-to-education-weiss-and.html

Friday, November 11, 2016 7:40 pm; "Council for Say Yes will hold public meeting Monday"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/11/friday-november-11-2016-740-pm-council.html

Former City of Greensboro Assistant Manager Mary Vigue used her position to personally profit via Say Yes to Education and Say Yes Guilford

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/09/former-city-of-greensboro-assistant.html

Ponzi needs a new town; Jul 25, 2016 4:59 AM; "Say Yes to Education" program could mean free college for Louisville students"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/ponzi-needs-new-town-jul-25-2016-459-am.html

Susan Ladd's oldest daughter appears to be in line for a Say Yes to Education scholarship

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/susan-ladds-oldest-daughter-appears-to.html

There hasn't been a news story out of Louisville on Say Yes to Education since; Boris hasn't called with questions yet

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/there-hasnt-been-news-story-out-of.html

The City of Greensboro's former Assistant Manager Mary Vigue, now Say Yes Guilford Director, was directly responsible, along with City Council and other City staff, for doing Greensboro's employees wrong

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/the-city-of-greensboros-former.html

"City of Greensboro, mayor sued over access to public records" by Roch Smith Jr.

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/city-of-greensboro-mayor-sued-over.html

More on what Say Yes to Education promised Guilford County students and parents

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/more-on-what-say-yes-to-education.html

Let's not forget what Guilford County School parents and students were told; "New Say Yes to Education partnership means free college tuition for Guilford County students"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/lets-not-forget-what-guilford-county.html

Remember what they told the kids; "Guilford County Says YES to Education - and Yes to College Tuition!"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/08/remember-what-they-told-kids-guilford.html

How it began in Guilford County, only different; "City, schools working on $100 million effort to provide free college to Louisvillians"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/how-it-began-in-guilford-county-only.html

"See Jane Lose"; How Say Yes to Education's Mary Vigue, Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan and Tony Wilkins betrayed the City's employees

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/see-jane-lose-how-say-yes-to-educations.html

Gag order and censorship for Guilford County teachers by Say Yes to Education and Angela Jackson of Guilford County's Association of Educators

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/gag-order-and-censorship-for-guilford.html

If Say Yes Guilford has $35 million,...

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/if-say-yes-guilford-has-35-million.html

$832,000 Payoff; "Buffalo Public Schools award the contract to Say Yes for community program"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/832000-payoff-buffalo-public-schools.html

Richard (Skip) Moore's misleading statements; "8 Things to Know About "Say Yes To Education"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/richard-skip-moores-misleading.html

Oblivious Buffalo News Editorial Board "Say Yes is leading a vital improvement in the number of college-bound students"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/oblivious-buffalo-news-editorial-board.html

Why did the Hartford Chapter of Say Yes close in June 2005?

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/why-did-hartford-chapter-of-say-yes.html

Alan Duncan and Amos Quick; "Through Say Yes to Education in Syracuse, Contreras has worked with her community..."

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/alan-duncan-and-amos-quick-through-say.html

Wednesday, June 29, 2016; New Guilford County Schools Superintendent Sharon Contreras' = Say Yes to Education, Say Yes Guilford and Say Yes Syracuse = Say Yes now owns Guilford County Schools

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/new-guilford-county-schools.html

Thursday, June 30, 2016; Say Yes to Education's amazing, quite unbelievable investment performance; This is a George Weiss special

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/say-yes-to-educations-amazing-quite.html

Thursday, June 30, 2016; John Hammer on new Guilford County Schools Superintendent Sharon Contreras and Say Yes to Education

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/john-hammer-on-new-guilford-county.html

Wednesday, June 29, 2016; WEDNESDAY, JULY 29TH 2015; "The Say Yes to Education program has closed its Syracuse office"

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/wednesday-july-29th-2015-say-yes-to.html

Thursday, June 30, 2016; Say Yes To Education-- The E-mails: Part 1

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/06/say-yes-to-education-e-mails-part-1.html

Friday, July 1, 2016; Say Yes To Education-- The E-mails: Part 2

http://greensboroperformingarts.blogspot.com/2016/07/say-yes-to-education-e-mails-part-2.html

"Say Yes Guilford currently has $9.2 million on hand"

"The Say Yes Guilford Scholarship Board is meeting on Thursday, March 30 and, on Thursday afternoon, Say Yes is expected to answer some pressing questions regarding the program...

...Why was there such a rush to offer scholarships on a widespread basis before the money was there to fully fund it?  How could an estimate of needed funding be off by over 600 percent?  Why didn't Guilford County Say Yes officials look more closely at program costs before implementing scholarships whole cloth in the 2016-2017 school year?  What exactly are the "wrap around" services that Guilford County, the school system and others are expected to provide?

...Guilford County Commissioner Alan Branson said that, from the very beginning of the process, the county commissioners were ostracized for asking questions and so were others who went against the grain.  He said school and Say Yes Guilford officials simply have not communicated well with the county commissioners.

"That's the thing," Branson said.  "They have not been open with us from the beginning - we asked questions but didn't get answers.  Several gave me the evil eye when I was trying to figure it out in the very beginning."

...Say Yes national has committed to investing $15 million in the Guilford County Schools over the next five years to support the program and Say Yes is supposed to have a large presence in school system operations.

...One area of interest was that the last available IRS 990 form, filed in August 2015, showed that, of $50.5 million in assets held by the national Say Yes to Education, $32.2 million was in the Cayman Islands in the "Weiss Multi-strategy" fund, and just over $5 million in a Weiss reinsurance business in Bermuda.

Say Yes Guilford currently has $9.2 million on hand

When the Rhino Times asked Say Yes Guilford Communications Director Donnie Turlington why that was, he referred those questions to the national Say Yes.

Say Yes to Education spokesman Jack Steinberg wrote in an email, "Weiss Multi-national Strategy Advisers is a separate business entity from Say Yes to Education" and referred all questions regarding the fund to a public relations firm that did not offer any comment on the record.

...In 2014, Weiss' investment strategies - and similar strategies used by about a dozen other hedge funds - faced a good deal of scrutiny and negative publicity due to a US Senate subcommittee investigation over his investment funds' use of a complex financial instrument known as "basket options" that some said were used by Weiss' fund and other funds to dodge taxes.  The funds' moves were not alleged by the committee to have been illegal but there were allegations of questionable financial moves based on "a series of fictions" to exploit tax loopholes to an uncomfortable extent.  The investigation at that time looked into Weiss' fund and about a dozen other funds that used basket options.

In July 2014, USA Today ran a story, "Banks and hedge fund grilled on tax schemes" after a Senate subcommittee hearing, and a Washington Post story ran with the headline, "Senate report: Barclays and Deutsche Bank helped hedge funds skirt $6 billion in taxes."  The Post-Standard in Syracuse, where Say Yes has a program, ran an article, "U.S. Senate committee report slaps hedge fund run by Say Yes to Education founder."

The Washington Post story stated: "The findings of the investigation will be the subject of a Senate panel hearing Tuesday, where senior executives from Barclays and Deutsche Bank are scheduled to testify ... The subcommittee staff focused on options involving the largest users, Renaissance Technologies (RenTec) and George Weiss Associates.  Deutsche Bank and Barclays used the options structure to open accounts for their clients in their own names, creating the illusion that they owned the assets.  But in fact, the hedge funds exercised complete control over the assets, executed all the trades and raked in all of the trading profits, according to the report."

The method was allegedly used by the funds to turn short-term gains into long-term gains for a tax advantage and were used to increase investment leverage beyond limits that would otherwise be allowed.

A spokesperson for Weiss Associates said at that time in a statement, "Basket options are lawful financial instruments" that are often used to increase leverage, and the statement added that Weiss' hedge fund had terminated its involvement with the options transactions in 2010.

...In a November 2016 presentation at a Say Yes Guilford Operating Committee meeting, Skip Moore, the former director of the Weaver Foundation, one of the founders of the Guilford Education Alliance and a leader of the local Say Yes movement, voiced his gratitude during a presentation before a packed auditorium of Say Yes advocates at Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown.

"Thank you, George Weiss, for your $15 million and thank you for all you've been giving over the years," Moore told the audience.  "I really don't care where it's invested - thank you for giving it away.  We appreciate it very much."

...While the national funds and the local funds are in different places - financially as well as geographically - the national Say Yes to Education organization did recently contribute money to make up a shortfall in scholarships for the 2015-2016 year according to one source familiar with the recent proceedings.

Say Yes Guilford had estimated the first year would cost about $900,000 but the bill came in at $6.1 million and Say Yes Guilford was about $1.5 million short.

Say Yes Guilford currently has $9.2 million on hand  

The source said that, though Say Yes money wasn't originally supposed to be used to fund scholarships, when Say Yes Guilford went into crisis mode over the giant shortfall, the national Say Yes branch kicked in money to make up the difference needed for first-year payments.

The source said there was an "Oh no, moment" when Guilford program administrators realized that Say Yes Guilford wouldn't have enough money on hand to pay to colleges for the students' first year and Say Yes national used some of its money to fund the first year scholarships.

...Branson also said he and other commissioners remain basically in the dark about what's going on with the program.  He said he's heard only "bits and pieces" of what's going on in regard to Say Yes.  ..."Everybody from the Education Alliance was selling it," he said.  "They were all pumped up and I thought: Maybe they know something I don't."

...Since the Scholarship Board meets on March 30, and Say Yes has said more details will be coming by "the end of the month," that strongly suggests an official Say Yes announcement will be made on Friday, March 31.

...the county was supposed to see some requests for wrap around services to support the program, but a meeting with school officials in August 2015 was the last time those two words have even come up in a county commissioners meeting in any meaningful way.  School board officials have also stated publically that they want more information as to what is expected in regard to  wrap around services the schools are expected to provide.

Chairman of the Board of Commissioners Jeff Phillips said he hadn't seen any request yet for the county to provide wrap around services or to make up the recently discovered financial shortfall.

"There's been no indication of any ask," Phillips said.  "There have been repeated references to wrap around services, but we still don't know what that means.  Nothing has been decided."

...In numbers provided by Say Yes last November, more than 2,000 students are getting Say Yes scholarships...

The program has more than $41 million in "pledges and commitments" from roughly 100 donors across the state.

The fundraising goal for the endowment was initially $70 million, but earlier this month Say Yes Guilford announced that the group would actually need about $550 million for a sustainable endowment.

Say Yes Guilford currently has $9.2 million on hand for that endowment."

http://www.myvirtualpaper.com/doc/rhino-times/march-30-2017/2017033001/#6