POCATELLO, Idaho -- The ribbon was cut on the new Academy Harbor Foundation at the Academy at Roosevelt Center Wednesday. The foundation, which will supply the public charter school with private funds, fills a huge void left by education budget cuts, said the school's Vice Principal, Jonathan Braack.

"Back in the spring when we heard that the state was going to start cutting budgets, we decided that should not affect students at the classroom level, at the learning level," said Braack.

The foundation already secured $2500 from Key Bank and $500 from the Portneuf Rotary.

"Our goal this school year is $100,000," said Braack.

State superintendent Tom Luna says with all the budget cuts schools have had to endure, foundations like this are almost necessary, and state Senate hopeful Lance Kolbet wants to start 40 more foundations like this all over southeastern Idaho.

"Our public schools cannot function alone. The whole community has to be involved," said Luna.

Kolbet wants to start up foundations for more public schools through the Rotary and other private organizations. A foundation could be coming to your child's school.

Idaho schools will also be receiving $51 million of federal stimulus money at the end of September. Schools have 27 months to spend the funds, and Luna hopes they'll save some for tough times ahead.