Dade City Charter Invests Bonus In Students

Academy at the Farm is putting its bonus money from the state to good use.

The charter school received $25,000 from the Teacher Recognition Fund because it ranked as an A-rated school. Many schools use that money for teacher bonuses, but the Academy at the Farm School Advisory Board put the money into student supplies and other areas that more directly benefit students.

"The entire staff decided that we wanted to give it back," said Principal Michael Rom.

This was the fourth year the school decided to put its bonus money into the school supplies fund, where it can be used to buy books and supplies, pay salaries and fund field trips for disadvantaged students, Rom said.

"Academy at the Farm is one of the few schools to use their School Appreciation Funds this way," said Nancy Scowcroft, supervisor of charter schools for Pasco County schools. "It speaks volumes about the commitment of the staff."

Aside from earning an A grade, schools receive Teacher Appreciation Funds by scoring well on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test and improving overall. By putting these funds back into the school, Academy teachers hope to bolster the school's overall performance even more.

"'Students come first' is our motto; we provide for their needs first," said kindergarten teacher Marcia Dwyer. "We, as teachers, can take a back seat to them."

The extra funds provide for all the weekly reader books, glue sticks and other supplies needed in her classes, Dwyer said.

"Anything we need is available to me," she said.

The bonus money also has gone to provide clothes, shoes and field trip fees for needy students.

"No child goes in need of anything because of this money," Dwyer said.

Fran McCrimmon, an ESE specialist at the school, said that the money also has funded technological advances at the school.

"We buy equipment and material with the funds, like smart boards, and send teachers to workshops and conferences," she said. "Whatever we need to benefit the children, that's how we spend the funds."

The bonus money has also helped the school increase staffing.

"We have a paraprofessional in every classroom," said fifth-grade teacher Virgil Jones. "That means we have two adults in each room at all times, a second set of eyes and an extra person to supervise the students when they work in small groups."

Teachers say the extra money increases productivity and teamwork at the school.

"This is a big family where everybody gets lifted up when they need it," McCrimmon said. "It's a wonderful place."