Estate agent puts school on books

Sell your house ... and watch the proceeds go to your local school.

That's the deal being offered by one real estate agent who has teamed with a North Shore secondary school in a creative ploy to raise much-needed cash.

Kay Scott says she will give up to $1000 to Northcote College for every home she sells on behalf of people associated with the school.

In a flyer sent out with the latest school newsletter, Ms Scott describes it as a "win-win" situation.

She points to the fact that the 1400-student college wants to build an expensive new performing arts centre, and that parents and the wider community will have to raise the money.

"In life it is wonderful to give, but there is also nothing wrong in looking for a win-win situation."

Ms Scott, who has a son at the school, said she came up with the idea as a double boost, for her career and for Northcote College.

If she lists the house and it sells, she will donate $500 to the decile nine school.

If she lists the house and brings in the buyer, she will increase the donation to $1000.

Schools across the country are leaning on the Government for a Budget-day boost to the amount it provides to run state education, through the operations grant.

The School Trustees' Association has launched a formal campaign.

Boards of trustees and parent teacher associations are constantly looking for new ways to attract extra cash.

Ted Benton, principal at Northcote College, said his school had been particularly hit by a drop in the numbers of international students.

"The ministry [of Education] will always say the operations grant is adequate, but it would not cover what I consider adequate," Mr Benton said.

That included carpeting classrooms, furniture renewals and re-painting every few years.

Mr Benton said the school had ambitious plans and had to be pro-active to raise the money.

"With this plan there was nothing to lose. We are paying nothing and could end up with extra dollars. I just thought why not?"

Ms Scott told the Herald there would always be "small-minded people" who would claim she was capitalising on the school's financial problems for her own gain.

"It's a shame some people think that way ... I cannot do much about people who have that attitude," she said.

Real estate was a tough business and everyone had to earn a living.

"In a different job I could not afford to offer this kind of donation. This comes off my commission and out of my pocket."

Ms Scott, who works for Harcourts, said the offer applied to anyone who had the flyer, or was referred to her by parents or teachers of the college.