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Agua Caliente School again raises funds for science lab

Posted on: Thursday, 19 February 2004, 06:00 CST

The "Save the Science Lab" Committee at Agua Caliente Elementary School has saved the school's science lab once again.

The school, 11420 E. Limberlost Road, has relied on its teachers, students, parents and community to raise money for the salary of its science lab coordinator, Jerry Vandermark, for the past two years, after declining enrollment forced the Tanque Verde School District to save $12,000 a year by eliminating Vandermark's part-time job.

Last year the school met its goal with a $4,500 grant from the district's enrichment fund. This year, the school district found $4,000 in its budget in December, and an attic sale last month put the school over the top.

Principal Diane Lemley said the sale, held on a rainy Saturday, pulled in about $2,500.

It was the last of a series of fund-raisers held by the school's teachers, parents and students. The Parent Teachers group donated $3,000, said Lemley.

Lemley, in her third year as principal, said she never expected to be raising money for teacher salaries when she started her career as an educator and hopes the need will end. "We're really hoping the district will go ahead and fund the position next year," she said.

If it doesn't, the fund-raising will continue, Lemley said, because Vandermark's role is too important.

The retired teacher has taught in high school and college and was Arizona science teacher of the year. Because of him, every child in the school gets to conduct "hands-on" science experiments at least once a week, she said.

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