Thursday, March 30, 2006

The Rouse Foundation Responds Back

Mr. Kington,

As Vice President of The Rouse Company Foundation and member of the Board of Directors of New Song Academy I would like to respond to your recent email to the New Song Advocates.

When The Rouse Company merged into General Growth Properties in November 2004 The Rouse Company Foundation continued as a separate entity. The Rouse Company Foundation was just one the funders who supported the school and to this day remains steadfast in its support of New Song Academy. In 2005 and 2006, we will fund New Song in the range of $260,000. As this crisis manifested itself Anthony W. Deering, former CEO of The Rouse Company and Chairman of The Rouse Company Foundation, wrote to Dr. Copeland informing her of both the Foundation’s and his personal financial support for New Song and urging her to restore full funding to this remarkable school. Mr. Deering’s letter to Dr. Copeland is attached. He is still awaiting a response from her.

“What changed” you asked. Baltimore City School System has cut funding to New Song Academy by 26% over the past two years. That’s the crisis issue.

We certainly agree that it would be nice for General Growth Properties to suddenly fund New Song - - good luck with your efforts in that direction. John Bucksbaum is CEO of General Growth - - his phone number is (312) 960-5005.

Margaret P. Mauro
Vice President
The Rouse Company Foundation
2328 West Joppa Road, Suite 110
Lutherville, MD 21093


Phone: 410.825.0336
FAX: 410.825.6525

Another Response



Mr. Kington:

I am member of the Board of Directors at New Song and a former Vice President at The Rouse Company.

The support of New Song, both operating support and support for the construction of the school building, came from The Rouse Foundation, not The Rouse Company. The Rouse Foundation survived the acquisition by GGP and continues to be ONE of the critical supporters of New Song. This support did not evaporate when The Rouse Company was acquired in 2004 and in fact this support has continued and increased.

The support that New Song has received over the past nine years from a host of foundations and individuals is not what has changed. What has changed is the support New Song receives from the Baltimore City School System – support that has decreased 26% reduction over the past three years (please see attached summary).

Once you have a chance to review this summary again (it was originally sent to all of the members of the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners over a week ago), we would love to hear your ideas for addressing what has changed.

Thank you.

Respectfully,

Anthony Mifsud

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