The Kernersville Board of Aldermen discussed Dec. 9 whether to contribute $5,000 to a classroom-supplies fund run by the Winston‑Salem Foundation’s education program. Town Manager Curtis Swisher said the town’s finance director and attorney raised concerns that a direct donation to that foundation might not meet the legal test for a public purpose, and he recommended alternatives so the town could retain appropriate oversight of the funds’ use.

Swisher suggested two approaches: (1) direct the funds to the local public-school system with a contract specifying how the money will be used, or (2) route the money through a local nonprofit or the Kernersville Chamber’s teacher‑grant program so the town can stipulate the schools or teachers who benefit. "I don't know that you all can directly contribute to the Winston Salem Foundation, because the way it's contributed ... doesn't meet the criteria as a public purpose," Swisher said.

A representative identified as Chris (the Kernersville Chamber representative, as referenced during discussion) described the Chamber’s grant-review process, confirmed there were unfulfilled teacher-grant requests in the current grant cycle and offered to compile $5,000 of ranked grant requests for the board to review. "A 100% of everything that comes to the chamber goes right back to the teachers," the representative said, describing the Chamber’s fundraising structure.

Board members asked staff to research the legal options and prepare a contract or recommendation for the board to act on at the Jan. 6 meeting so funds, if approved, could be distributed promptly for teacher needs in the second semester. No formal donation was approved at the Dec. 9 meeting.