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Hard work pays off for 11 Eastwood teachers

Friday, September 18, 2009
By SYDNEY STONNER/Staff writer

From left to right, Eastwood Principal John Angelhow, Marshall Walmart Co-manager Mike Fleener and Marshall Superintendent Crag Noah hold the big cardboard check representing Walmart's gift of $100 to each of 11 Eastwood teachers.
(Sydney Stonner/Democrat-News)
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On Thursday, Sept. 17, Mike Fleener, co-manager of Marshall's Walmart store, presented a $100 gift card and a rose to each of eleven classroom teachers at Eastwood Elementary School.

In a school-wide assembly, Fleener told students Walmart wanted to "recognize and reward some of our teachers in our community."

On average, schoolteachers spend $512 of their own money on supplies for their classrooms each year, Fleener said. Walmart's gift, which is part of $4 million donated nationwide, is an attempt to offset teachers' expenses.

Eastwood Principal John Angelhow took the big cardboard check symbolizing Walmart's gift from Fleener and expressed his thanks to the company.

"This has all been a big surprise," he said. "We're pretty excited."

Angelhow added, "I'd like to thank all the teachers for all the hard work that they do."

The honored educators are third-grade teachers Julie Barbagallo, Kindal Carney, Wendy Hartley, Angie Harvey, Emily King, Heather McCracken, Ariane O'Day, Bryanne Payne and Lou Ann Thomas, and kindergarten teachers Denise Dunham and Lindsay Hunolt.

Walmart chose to recognize the Eastwood teachers instead of giving the "teacher of the year" award as in years past.

Contact Sydney Stonner at marshallbusiness@socket.net

Comments

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What supplies are teachers having to purchase? Last year the 1st grade school supply list was over $60 which most items were gathered by the teacher then handed out and used as needed. Yet when my grandson moved from the district at the end of first quarter, he had no supplies to take with him to his new school. What isn't on that list that the students need?

-- Posted by Air Force Wife on Sun, Sep 27, 2009, at 12:29 PM

Tito and RedAngel - Did you miss this part of what I posted: "I agree they shouldn't have to do this." I believe the ability to at least recover SOME of the money is a good thing. That's why I said so. :)

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Fri, Sep 25, 2009, at 4:18 PM

Kathy,

If you had 25-30 kids in your room for 9 months how far would $250.00 go? The tax write off is an educator's joke in the teachers lounge. How much do you think it costs to conduct a simple science experiment with supplies from the grocery store, treats for being the BEST class ever or just the endless supply of classroom supplies because August supplies ran out in January???

Be for real you must know how much it cost to raise a child well teachers are with these kids as much as most parents!!!!! Tax break HAHAHAHa............

-- Posted by Tito on Tue, Sep 22, 2009, at 8:16 PM

And to clarify even further...MOST teachers spend gross amounts more than the $250 that they are allowed to deduct from their income taxes.

-- Posted by RedAngel on Mon, Sep 21, 2009, at 4:57 PM

How about being positive for these teachers instead of always looking for the negative??? Congrats to the educators for all their hard work!

-- Posted by IPGC on Mon, Sep 21, 2009, at 2:00 PM

Just to clarify one point on teachers using their own money for school supplies - I agree they shouldn't have to do this, BUT, keep in mind that some of those expenses are tax-deductible.

Teachers and other educators can deduct up to $250 that they spend to buy classroom supplies. It's an adjustment to income, so it's not necessary to itemize to get the break.

http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,i...

-- Posted by Kathy Fairchild on Mon, Sep 21, 2009, at 9:15 AM

Eric, local teachers have had to use their own funds for years to purchase school supplies for their classrooms. If you check with the district, you might be surprised at how little is budgeted.

While the total number of students will remain the same if a new school is built, the pool of available funds to operate the schools will be diluted to the extent that a new school, such as the one proposed by the board, will bring extra expenses to the district particularly if some of the existing elementary schools are retained for use by the district.

The district could adjust the operating levy to accomodate this expense which would created more tax in addition to any debt service levy to pay for new schools. This is a policy debate that deserves serious consideration.

What should not be up for debate is the teachers should not have to use their own money to purchase supplies. This is, in my opinion, a failure of the district to understand what is really important for educating our children.

We have expanded athletic programs and added administrators in recent years at great expense to the school district. The problem of teachers having to use their own money to purchase supplies is longstanding and, frankly, unacceptable.

Respectfully, GH

-- Posted by Gray hair on Mon, Sep 21, 2009, at 7:27 AM

Gray hair: I see your point, and you're right. If the new school creates a greater need for supplies, that could be a problem. However, the number of students isn't expected to change, so if supplies needs are determined by that factor, then having a new building may not have much impact on costs.

Also, just a minor clarification. It's accurate to say that all *local* school funding comes from property tax revenue, but schools also get state and federal funding that comes from other sources. Sorry to a nit-picker!

-- Posted by Eric Crump on Mon, Sep 21, 2009, at 6:51 AM

Eric, you may correct, but miss my point. All funding for public education comes from property taxes, whether it be debt service or operating levies. Perhaps I should have stated it differently. If the school district lacks funds for everyday school supplies for teachers, how in heaven's name will it be able to operate additional school buildings. Respectfully, GH

-- Posted by Gray hair on Sun, Sep 20, 2009, at 11:30 PM

It is a shame that ALL of the teachers at Eastwood didn't receive the gift cards! There are more than just regular classroom teachers that spend their own money for their classrooms to better educate the students there. Also, what about all of the other teachers in the district, do they not spend their own money? It would seem that picking one exceptional teacher to receive the recognition would have been a better idea!

-- Posted by RedAngel on Sun, Sep 20, 2009, at 9:09 PM

Marshall Public School teachers are the very best. What is sad about their "reward" is that no teacher should have to use their own money to purchase supplies to teach our children. If the school district lacks money for everyday school supplies for teachers, how in heaven's name can it afford to build new buildings. GH

-- Posted by Gray hair on Sun, Sep 20, 2009, at 9:08 PM

Response by Eric Crump/Editor:

The funding for supplies and the funding for new buildings are from different sources. One cannot be used for the other.

What a great idea Wal-Mart! What better way to help the community by distributing the reward to deserving teachers where it will be passed on to students. Everyone benefits! Thank you to Wal-Mart and to Mr. Angelhow and Eastwood teachers for everything you do.

-- Posted by Gregory Defouw on Sat, Sep 19, 2009, at 11:13 AM

I agree! These teachers deserve this! The new teachers they have at Eastwood are awesome!!! And Mr. Algelhow! Eastwood is now blessed with some great teachers!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!

-- Posted by get a clue on Fri, Sep 18, 2009, at 5:13 PM

Awesome! Teachers don't ever get the recognition they deserve.

-- Posted by luvthoseowls on Fri, Sep 18, 2009, at 12:02 PM