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School communities offer help amid budget struggle |
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| Education | |||
| Written by Kristin Babcock | |||
| Monday, 20 April 2009 00:00 | |||
 Five Lakewood Middle School seventh-graders had some time on their hands after school and offered to help the school in some way.Principal Scott Currier and teachers had noticed some computers left on overnight. Currier asked Callie Hocter, Sarah Murphy, Breann Veney, Deavyn Carey and Olivia Kunkel to check about 100 computers in three computer labs on different floors at the end of the school day. The process of turning off all those computers takes about 15 minutes, Deavyn said. There are about 280 computers at Lakewood, 6601 Edgewater Drive, Overland Park, said Bob Moore, district executive director of information technology services. If those are left on for an entire weekend, it costs the district about $219, he said. “It sounds like pennies, but it’s like the old saying, pennies add up to real savings after awhile,” Moore said. “It’s great those students have taken that on.” “It’s a huge benefit for us,” Currier said. “These young ladies are responsible and come in every day. It’s been really helpful for us and they do a great job with it.” It has become a fun part of the girls’ day, Sarah said. They come in, they talk, they joke, and the job is done, she said. “It’s cool because we have fun and it’s easy enough,” Olivia said. “It’s cool because you are pushing buttons and saving money.” Though this type of work will not offset the loss of millions of dollars the district is facing, officials have asked employees to shut off lights when not in a room, turn off computers, and use supplies in a careful manner. The district budget Web site also has provided a feedback page for individuals to offer cost-saving ideas. Principal Mandy Shoemaker said teachers at Sunset Ridge Elementary, 14901 England St., Overland Park, have worked to cut back on copies by using technologies like digital document cameras. One teacher has offered to order free educational materials for other teachers through a magazine she uses, Shoemaker said. “I think our attitude is we’re going to do our part,” Shoemaker said. “They are not big things, but little things.” Woodland Elementary School in Olathe opened this school year. Parent volunteer Scott Mayes said the school’s newly formed parent-teacher organization, teachers and principal held brainstorming sessions to address potential budget shortfalls the school and district are facing, he said. The organization had committed to only one fundraiser per year, so they were looking for alternative solutions, he said. One solution is what they call the “PTO Volunteer Workroom.” Parents are volunteering time at the school making copies and putting together booklets. Staff members used a spare room to put together a work station with a copy machine, paper cutters and table space. The workroom has attracted more parent help, Mayes said. “It’s a positive story about how people pull together and the outcomes of that,” Mayes said. “We knew we were facing cuts and everyone started brainstorming and it seems like a really cool thing.”
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