At Joseph Stillwell Middle School there are 12 "portable" classrooms (trailers) that measure 24 by 36, and a bathroom. Kids take classes out there, and have to make it from class to class in all weather, exposed to the elements.

This means that when it rains, they get wet, and when the rain is heavy, they get soaked. This disrupts class time and learning, causes confusion where, until the rain passes, children are difficult to locate. Sometimes they get so wet that they have to go home early.

The school system looked at hard metal overhangs, at a cost of about $1,000 a yard. I can get a contractor to provide framed canvas walkway overhangs for about $540 a yard. I can get 360 linear feet of overhang for about $65,000. Roughly HALF of what the school system was looking at.

I want to reduce this further by using the canvas to sell logo space to offset the cost of the overhang. Whatever company "buys" the canvas covering for the overhang spends $25,000 for the material, and can place their corporate logo in it. This will cover the walkways connecting the classrooms, Kids will still have to make a mad dash from classroom door to overhang/walkway, but at least they won't be soaked to the bone any more, and classes won't be delayed or stopped as much because of rain.

$40,000 is what the job then costs, and corporate donations and fundraisers can work that price down even further. Local businesses and citizens can sponsor part of the balance, and students can start fundraisers and fundraising programs to work the cost down to where any balance can be funded with ease by the school system.

I am looking to direct this project as the contractor providing the overhang, and project manager. My target is 1/5th the cost of what the school system spends for overhangs, or $28,000.

I realize budget cuts are pressing the schools hard, and while this should be something already done, the prospects for it happening do not seem likely. This is the only way it would ever get done. Call it a beneficial business venture.

When "the system" lets us down, it is important for us, The People, to take up the slack. Normally I'd say that there shouldn't be "ads" at school, but a corporation stepping up to the plate deserves recognition, and if some ads can get air conditioning on buses or overhangs when the system fails us, then why not. The idea is to protect the kids.

Therefore, if you are a business owner or corporation that wants to do something positive for kids, this may be that thing you do. And just think, when it rains, your future customers can look up and see that it is you, your business, providing protection from the rain and elements. They will have three years of seeing your company name, over and over and over again, every day for 180 day out of the year, several times a day.

You can call me at 904-781-9473 or get a hold of me at WorldOfColor@Lycos.com or Skotstar@yahoo.com

Thanks.....

Skot David Wilson