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How did Olympia's principals use their checkbooks?

• Published September 22, 2009

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I chatted with Craig Ottavelli, the president of the Olympia School District Education Foundation, who sent me an accounting for the types of items purchased in the Principal's Emergency Checkbook program. The program allows administrators at elementary and middle schools to purchase items that could be a barrier to students attending school --- for example, a pair of intact shoes or a bottle of Rid Shampoo for lice.

Here's the breakdown:

Medical Supplies: $1659.06

Clothing: $2,858.25

School Supplies: $892.00

Transportation: $1,050.23

School Activities: $1,408.35

Food: $2,537.10

Emergency Shelter: $1,576.02

Other: $2,323.52

TOTAL: $14,304.53

(North Thurston has a similar program with the North Thurston Education Foundation, that has been in operation for at least 20 years.)

Each Olympia elementary and middle school got $15 for each student in the free and reduced lunch program. Ottavelli said that this year, the OSDEF hopes to expand the program to the high schools. This year, the foundation aims to raise $25,000 for the program. Their second annual breakfast starts at 7 a.m. Thursday.

--- Venice Buhain, Olympian education reporter