School Business Partnerships

How your Business can Support Education
by Richard Strutz

Education is everyone’s business. Whether you operate a supermarket chain or corner coffee stand, a shopping mall or a shoe repair shop, the success of your company depends in large part on the quality of our schools.

Companies large and small rely on education to produce future employees who can read and prepare reports, speak languages to serve an increasingly diverse customer base, and perform the complex math and science functions needed in a high-tech economy.

Here’s another reason good schools are important: Students are your future customers – tomorrow's “knowledge workers” who need to learn the skills to earn the high wages that will enable them to buy your company’s products and services.

Without a skilled work force, our communities, our customers and our companies suffer. Yet despite this need, it seems as if every day we read of additional teacher layoffs, larger class sizes, inadequate funding for books and supplies, shortened school years and cutbacks – and in some cases elimination – of after-school music, sports and arts programs. In Alaska, public participation by the business sector is vital if our schools are to receive the support they need.

How can your business help?

One way you make a significant impact is to “adopt” a school for a semester or longer. Get a “wish list” from the principal and post it on a “Support our Schools” bulletin board at work.
If your employees have special skills – for example, in finance, computer technology and construction – put them to work for your school. Encourage employees to volunteer as tutors and teacher assistants. Organize volunteer work crews to help with maintenance or building projects.

Adopting a school can forge strong connections and positive partnerships between your company, your employees and your community. And by focusing on one school for an extended period of time, you and your employees really can make a difference.

Here are some other ideas:

• Set up a program to match your employees’ tax-deductible contributions to local schools.
  
  
• Call your local principal or school district and find out if you can provide internships or after-school jobs for older students who want to gain some real-word experience.
  
  
• Build productivity while helping schools. Let each employee choose a favorite local school, then reward great sales success with a donation to the school. For example, your top salesperson for the quarter could earn $200 for his or her school. Did an employee land a lucrative contract? A donation is a great way to recognize the hard work and preparation that led to the success.
  
  
• When you “catch” an employee providing great customer service, recognize that performance with a check to his or her chosen school. The schools will benefit – and so will your company – when your employees feel rewarded and appreciated.
  
  
• Set up a bin in your store lobby or employee break area to collect pencils, pens, paper, art supplies, calculators and other supplies, then donate them to a local school.
  
  
• Look around your company. Are there computers and other office supplies that are standing idle? Consider donating them to your school.
  
  
• Contact your state and local legislators and be an advocate for adequate school funding.

These are just a few of the many ways that businesses can help. For more ideas, brainstorm with your employees, ask local educators and fellow parents, and don’t forget to ask your children for their input.

School funding is everyone’s challenge – and everyone’s opportunity. By working together and leveraging the skills and experience of your business and its employees, you can help our communities find solutions and build a strong and secure education system for all.

Richard Strutz is the president of Wells Fargo Bank Alaska and is a board member for the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation's Vision Anchorage.