Davis District Web Site
Jan. 8, 2001--
Parents in one Utah school district will no longer be hit up to buy things from student fundraisers.
Fundraisers have become one of those necessary evils. Schools rely on the money, but they don't like sending kids door to door.
Now the Davis District has a new, high-tech solution.
Education Specialist Nadine Wimmer reports.
They've likely come to your door armed with wrapping paper,
magazine subscriptions, candy, or anything else that can help raise money for school programs.
Now Davis District is turning to e-commerce.
Sheryl Allen/Davis District Foundation: "WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE FUNDRAISING EASIER AND TAKE CHILDREN OUT OF IT."
The district has its own web shopping page, with nationally known and local businesses.
With the click of a mouse, Davis schools get a kickback on all purchases, ranging from 1- to 20-percent of the sale.
Administrators don't know what to expect, but they think this option has a lot of potential.
Sheryl Allen/Davis District Foundation: "THE ANTICIPATION WAS VERY HIGH A YEAR AGO, AND THEN WE'VE SEEN WHAT'S HAPPENED TO TECH STOCKS. BUT WE HOPE THAT THIS IS AN EASY WAY FOR PARENTS TO SUPPORT THEIR SCHOOLS, AND THEY CAN CHOOSE WHAT SCHOOLS THEY WANT TO DESIGNATE TO."
A few schools have already experimented with e-commerce.
They found it takes a while to catch on.
But when Creekside elementary combined its web page, with other kickbacks from grocery stores and popular box-top rebates, they were able to cancel all fundraisers involving children.
Administrators hope they can appeal to parent loyalty, if enough switch and shop here.
Students won't make the perrenial pitch, parents can buy things they really want, and schools can have more money to spend on things they need.
"VOLUME SHOPPING THROUGH E-COMMERCE CAN INDEED ADD UP, AND BRING THE SCHOOLS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY."
So this means thousands of parents now can check their child's progress report, homework assignment, and go shopping in one place.
You can find it all on the Davis District's web site at www.davis.k12.ut.us. Click "help raise funds" for shopping.
