Document 6bjopJnGw0O83J0ZwZvN34m0d

IMMEDIATELY 1999 Christy Beckmann (314) 674-3804 Blake Hamilton at 205/231-8427 in Anniston DRAFT for discussion 2/6/99 Notes: Program name still to be determined Anniston version [to be tailored for each city] Solutia Technology in Classrooms Program to Provide Computers for Technology & Science Education in Three Alabama Cities; Responds to Educators' Requests in Anniston, Decatur & Foley Anniston, AL, March 1, 1999 - Science and technology education in public school districts in and near Anniston and two other Alabama cities will get a major boost with new computers and other technology assistance to be funded under a new program launched by Solutia Inc., which has long operated chemical plants in each community. The company announced today the Solutia. Technology in Classrooms Program - a three-year commitment to help city and county public school districts in and near Anniston, Decatur and Foley acquire new computer equipment to advance each district's technology access for students, especially in science. Teams of educators from each district will work with Solutia employees to identify computer and related needs for each district that will best assist the schools in providing more opportunities for their students. "Solutia has long been actively involved with the Anniston community," said site manager Blake Hamilton, "and we believe this is an excellent way to partner with the community to help meet crucial educational needs. Educators throughout the area have made us aware of this important need and urged us to help. We are pleased to be able to play a part in improving educational opportunity in the communies where our plant is located and where our employees live." The new program will be made available to all public city and county school districts in Calhoun, Talladega and St. Clair Counties. These are the primary areas where Solutia employees live and from which it hires new staff. The program will also be made available in counties near the company's Decatur and Foley plants. DSW 138386 STLCOPCB4038341 2 The company has previously donated computer equipment to schools in Anniston. The new program broadens this focus and will work closely with the individual school districts to recommend equipment that will best serve their educational programs. Proposals will be submitted on behalf of each district to the Solutia Fund this spring, with first year funding decisions to be made by June. Decisions on specific equipment needs for the second and third years will be made during the two coming school years. Each school district will have a major role in shaping its request for computers and related technology assistance. Science education at the high school level is a company priority, but each district and the company will work together to determine where computers are most needed. The company expects to be able to make available funding for approximately 75 to 100 computers per year within the three-county area near the Anniston plant. [Educational endorsements here] "Solutia is a leading company in applied chemistry, and we have a special interest in promoting strong science and technology education," said Solutia's president John Hunter. "This program will not only support families and students in our plant communities, but it will also strengthen the science awareness and knowledge of our future employees. This is an important investment in these communities and our future in Alabama." "We are looking forward to partnering with educators in our area to make a real difference in science and technology opportunities for our students," said Hamilton. "This is an exciting step forward for our schools, our communities and our company." -oOo- DSW 138387 STLCOPCB4038342 ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE - Prepared at Request of Counsel DRAFT for internal discussion 2/7/99 SUMMARY FOR USE WITH EDUCATORS ETC. Solutia Alabama Technology in Classrooms Program [name to be determined] Computer technology is racing ahead at a rapid pace, affecting every aspect of our lives and changing constantly. Today's students need access to computers and good technology instruction to be ready for the educational and employment challenges of the 21st century. With tight budgets, Alabama school districts have not been able to provide as much of the computer access and education that they know our students will need. Schools have asked for community help to make sure students have computer opportunities they need to succeed. Solutia is pleased to be able to help in the communities in which it operates plants in Alabama - Anniston, Decatur and Foley. We are developing the Solutia Alabama Technology in Classrooms Program as our contribution to meeting the computer technology challenge in schools in these communities. We are offering funding for computers and related equipment to all public school districts, city and county, in counties in and near our plant cities to help meet the needs of students in these districts. We invite school districts in these communities to work with us to determine how best the Solutia Alabama Technology in Classrooms Program can help meet their educational objectives. The goal of this program is to provide a significant improvement in computer technology access for public school students in communities where we operate plants in Alabama. We want to work together with school districts as partners to make sure the program fits well with the goals and programs of each district. Flexibility and close collaboration between Solutia and the school districts will make sure that the program works well to assist the schools in providing the best technology educational opportunity through this program with limited paperwork and bureaucracy. OSK l38383 STLCOPCB4038343 2 We pledge to work as partners ofthe school districts for the benefit of the students in each community. A brief program outline follows: What: Solutia Alabama Technology in Classrooms Program -- Solutia Fund program to provide funding for computers and/or related technology to public schools in and near Alabama communities with Solutia plants Anniston, Decatur & Foley. Why: Supports the company's long-term commitment to science & technology education for the benefit of communities in which it has a significant presence, in which its employees live and from which its future employees will come Where: Anniston: Calhoun, St. Clair & Talladega Counties Decatur: Morgan, Lawrence & Limestone Counties Foley: Baldwin County Who: All public schools & school districts [county & city] are eligible Program: * Solutia offers to provide funding for computers and/or related technology to improve technology access and programs, especially in sciences * Program is flexible to fit well within each school district's existing programs and priorities * Solutia will work with small teams of educators from each school district to determine their needs and how Solutia can best help * We seek projects that will have broad impact within each school district, complementing or expanding the science & technology curriculum * Priority will be on programs at high school level, but funding is not restricted only to high schools if a districts identifies needs that include other age levels Timing: Solutia will make up to a 3 year program commitment to each participating school district Funding: * Solutia Fund, the philanthropic arm of Solutia GSW 136389 STLCOPCB4038344 3 Selection: * Brief proposals will be developed by a small team of educators and Solutia plant employees for each school district based on a review of needs within each district * Proposals will be due by early May or before * Initial program grants will be made by June 1999 or before * Final decisions will be made by Solutia Fund Board NOTE: This needs to include some information on the parameters regarding the approximate number of computers. Doing that for all three communities on the same page poses some difficulties, which need to be discussed as noted elsewhere. DSW 138390 STLCOPCB4038345