Students contribute large profits to the school whether they choose to or not.

Bookkeeper Sherry Knutson deals with over 200 bank accounts every day, while Librarian Pam Pinkerton, collects money every morning for student IDs.

Cell phone fines add up throughout the year. In 2008-2009 the school collected almost $7,000 from cell phone fines. Mrs. Knutson receives around five phones a week, and the profit goes toward crime prevention.

“I hardly get any attitude from students with fines,” Mrs. Knutson said. “A lot of the kids are getting smart about putting their phones up.”

Aside from cell phones, Knutson collects money for Saturday School, which goes back to the district to pay for the teachers’ over-time. Money collected for book fines replaces the lost books, and Mr. Wright donated about $1,500 from vending machines last year for after prom.

“If there’s any profit made it all goes back for the benefit of the students,” Mrs. Knutson said.   

Mrs. Pinkerton along with Mrs. Knutson both manage a large amount of money. IDs cost $5 for every student in the school. Mrs. Pinkerton, with the rest of the library staff, spends mornings making IDs. Everyone has paid for an original, but now they’re going back for replacements.

The money made from IDs will go toward the equipment used to make them. It takes care of repairs needed and replaces old cameras. Any money leftover will go toward expanding the audio book collection in the library.

“Audio books are so expensive, but students like them and it would have a great appeal,” Mrs. Pinkerton said. “It’s something I can justify for spending my money.”