Dragon Affinity Credit Card

Carroll ISD took a step closer to getting a Dragon Logo Affinity Credit Card that gives a percentage of all purchases back to the general operating fund. The Carroll School Board voted tonight to apply for an exclusive credit card program with Capital One, Inc. Families who apply and qualify for a Dragon Credit Card can help raise funds for their local K-12 school district. The program gives $50 for every first-time purchase, 2% on gas and grocery purchases and 1% on all other purchases. There are also select merchants that will earn Dragon card users up to 10% back to their local school district.

Approval and implementation of the program is pending final legal wording on the Terms of Agreement between both CISD and Capital One. The idea was part of a list of suggestions in a final report by a citizens Revenue Enhancement Committee in 2002. Fort Worth Star Telegram reporter Jessamy Brown actually researched and identified that back in 1992, her newspaper reported on a CISD green and white Dragon MasterCard that in some way earned money for the district, but so far school officials have not located information on that historical card program.

Details on the application process will be forthcoming. Agreements for card qualification, acceptance and use will be between the individual card holder and Capital One. CISD will not obtain or have access to anyone's credit information nor will they have any part in acceptance or approval of individual applications. The funds would not be subject to the state's recapture program, meaning that Dragon families could simply use their own every day purchases and spending habits to benefit their child's own education.

Even more exciting is the fact that an executive with Capital One's Virginia headquarters resides right here in Carroll ISD and was present at tonight's School Board meeting. We are thankful and appreciative of the many loyal Dragon parents, supporters and alumni who care about this district and its children. We hope to be announcing details on an approved Dragon Affinity Credit Card program in the days and weeks ahead.