Wednesday, April 4, 2001
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Wednesday, April 4, 2001 |
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Principal, resource officer show school spirit at Whitewater When it came time to figure how to divvy up PTO money earmarked for technology, there was no doubt that Whitewater Middle School needed computer desks for its computer lab. A variety of tables were being used to support the computers. Since these tables were not designed for that use, they were wasting space that could have been utilized for additional computers. Estimates gathered from several companies indicated that it would cost the school about $7,000 to purchase computer tables for the lab. When the price tag for the new tables reached the ears of Whitewater assistant principal Jason Byars and resource officer Sgt. Tommy Pope, both men decided to pick up some tools and get to work. "We nearly choked when we heard the cost," Byars says. Both Byars and Pope, who enjoy woodworking, knew that they could construct the same type of table for a fraction of the cost. Supplies to build the tables cost approximately $1,000. Byars and Pope spent a total of 40 hours on weekends and after school building the tables and then installed them on the Presidents Day holiday. By volunteering to make the desks, these two individuals saved the school $6,000, which Whitewater plans to use to purchase a new file server to more adequately support the different computer programs utilized by students and teachers. Without the volunteer spirit of Byars and Pope, the school would not have been able to afford the purchase of both the tables and a file server. "It is important to note that Jason and Tommy constructed and installed these tables on their own time and that they did not get paid for the labor," says Whitewater Principal Sandra Kidd. "I appreciate very much what they did for our school. They both took time away from their families to do this and that shows a lot of dedication on their part." Before installation of the tables, the lab could only hold 14 computers. Now a total of 24 machines fit comfortably, providing additional instructional areas for students. The PTO is currently working on a way to honor Byars and Pope for their hard work and dedication to the school and its students.
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