Community and Education Policy Alliance (CEPA)

Use of Funds Statement

About CEPA

The Community and Education Policy Alliance (CEPA) is a social welfare organization registered in Maryland. CEPA is seeking 501(c)(4) status with the Internal Revenue Service. Contributions to CEPA are not tax-deductible as charitable donations.

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Purpose of Funds

We are raising funds to challenge the proposed closure of Thomas S. Wootton High School by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) and Board of Education (BOE), whether advanced as a recommendation, adopted by the Board of Education, or implemented in any form. CEPA's core mission is to ensure that Wootton remains open at its current location on Wootton Parkway and is restored to the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for the major renovations the school urgently needs.

This proposal has been marked by a lack of transparency, procedural failures, and decision-making that has not followed the legal processes required under Maryland law for the closure of a public school. CEPA exists to hold MCPS and the Board of Education accountable for how these decisions are made — not just what they decide, but how they decide it.

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Use of Funds

Funds raised will be used primarily for costs associated with challenging the proposed closure and related actions, this includes upfront organizational and filing expenses (such as assistance from Foundation Group and BryteBridge in completing state and federal nonprofit filings), as well as ongoing legal and advocacy efforts, including but not limited to:

• Attorneys' fees and litigation expenses
• Expert analysis and consulting
• Public records and information requests
• Filing and pursuit of state and federal administrative complaints and investigations
• Appeals, enforcement actions, and compliance reviews arising from this matter

To ensure that donations are managed responsibly and used for their intended purpose:

• All expenditures must be reviewed and approved by CEPA's Board of Directors
• Funds will be maintained in an official organizational bank account, separate from any personal accounts
• The organization will maintain financial records and documentation of expenditures
• The Board will exercise oversight of major expenses and strategic decisions related to the use of funds

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Ongoing Use of Funds

If funds raised exceed the immediate costs of litigation and administrative proceedings, remaining funds will be used to advance CEPA's broader mission of promoting accountability and transparency within Montgomery County Public Schools. This may include monitoring of MCPS policies and decisions, public records requests, policy analysis, and other oversight activities in the interest of the communities CEPA serves.

Contributions are non-refundable. All donations are final and will be applied to CEPA's mission as described above.