Extreme Makeover: Gene Witt Elementary Edition

MANATEE COUNTY — Gene Witt Elementary School’s teacher lounge used to be a place of last resort for teachers to relax or eat their lunches.

But thanks to the planning and handiwork of school dads, Principal Myra Russell’s 15-year-old wish to remodel the room finally has come true.

Members of Witt’s Fathers Being Involved group this weekend perfectly executed their plan to replace the room’s old teal cabinetry and plastic tables with a stylish Starbucks-inspired coffee lounge. They unveiled the project, a surprise for teachers, at 8 a.m., April 11.

“The teachers are the ones that have the biggest impact on our kids,” said Gary Rademaker, who oversaw the installation of flooring. “There are a lot of opportunities with the school for fundraisers. Where that impacts the school overall, this was something that would impact the teachers directly.”

The FBI group formed in the fall of 2010 after the Parent-Teacher Organization printed FBI T-shirts to promote fathers getting involved in the school. Witt dads took up the challenge, forming a group to do something impactful for the school, organizer Bob Weronik said.

Weronik met with Russell for ideas. After she mentioned the teachers lounge needed to be renovated, Weronik was ready to move. About three months later, FBI dads presented Russell with their plans and earned her blessing for the project.

With the support of Superintendent Tim McGonegal, Russell sent teachers home at noon, April 8, a records day, to work from home because the water would supposedly be cut off. The fathers were on standby and moved in to begin work as soon as the building cleared.

Seven team captains, each responsible for their assigned task, led their team of volunteers until work finished and helped wherever else possible. Mothers helped keep the men fed throughout the three-day project and also helped to clean up once work finished.

Witt’s PTO pitched in about $3,500 to cover most of the project’s $4,500 price tag, and the school pitched in $1,000 for a television and a few other items. Sponsors such as Scott Paint donated items or sold products to the group at cost.

“That really helped us,” said Randy Smith, who oversaw painting. “If we didn’t have donations, we couldn’t have done it.”

In total, the renovation is valued at close to $20,000.

Weronik said FBI plans to complete one large project each school year. He also would like to see FBI groups start at other schools, and said organizers would be happy to share advice on how to get started, he said.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

SPONSORS
Pulte Homes
Jody Salter of Pulte Homes
Masco Corp.
84 Lumber Co.
RT Moore
Designer Warehouse
Scott Paint