11/18/2009 6:09:00 AM
MUSD accepts $25k donation in educational software programs
Software bonanza!
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Cheri Baumgartner and MUSD IT director Jesse Bais stand next to the table full of $25,000 worth of educational computer software donated to the district by Denise Rogers, owner of Academics Distributing, Inc. of Dewey.
BBN Photo/Sue Tone |
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By Sue Tone
Big Bug News
A search for a used copier on Craigslist didn't result in a purchase, but it did bring a windfall to Mayer Unified School District in educational software totaling more than $25,000.
Cheri Baumgartner, who works in the district's Special Services Office, said she called about a posting for used office supplies on the Internet site Craigslist from a company going out of business. Academics Distributing, Inc., a distributor of educational software in Dewey was closing its doors. It did not have a copier Baumgartner was looking for.
However, during several conversations with Denise Rogers, owner of ADI, she learned the company had a plethora of educational software programs to unload.
Rogers said vendors of the preschool through twelfth-grade education programs would not take the software back after a certain length of time, and the inventory items were no longer of use to the company. She knew they were something worthwhile for students.
"After a certain amount of time, they lose value - as far as the business and financial aspect - but not from the good of the product," Rogers said.
She had directly contacted two school sites in the Humboldt Unified School District, and school personnel told her to speak with the computer techs at the district office. In the meantime, she also posted the software on the Craigslist Website.
When the HUSD techs didn't show up for a Monday appointment, Rogers invited Baumgartner to look over the inventory on Tuesday and pick out what she thought the Mayer District could use.
Accompanied by Jesse Bais, MUSD Information Technology director, Baumgartner selected programs that include high school trigonometry, science, math and geography for all different grade levels. In addition, they also accepted keyboards and cables.
Rogers said she knew the products were good, and she was delighted to see Bais and Baumgartner recognize the value the software had for students.
"They knew it was something they could use, and that it would help the kids. It worked out perfectly for them," Rogers said.
"It was kind of cute the way they were trying not to be greedy. They took quite a bit and left quite a bit as well. They were so delighted and happy," she added.
Baumgartner said the MUSD governing board officially accepted the donation at its board meeting this past Thursday. Bais has yet to complete the inventory, but said, so far, he places the value of the software at more than $25,000.
Gesturing to the table overflowing with boxes, Baumgartner said, "I was looking for a copier and we wound up with this. It was like Christmas!"
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