- April 19, 2024
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Just days before a fundraising scholarship dinner honoring Jim Guines, the man who brought the Make-It Take-It program to Flagler Schools, the school board heard a proposal to revamp the bus the program used for outreach.
“Now it’s about going out and continuing that outreach.” Colleen Conklin Flagler School Board Chairman
Many of the people in the room weren’t around when the Make-It Take-It program was in its hay day and the bus was used to provide computers to students who otherwise would not have had access.
“Since we are honoring Dr. Guines this weekend, I thought this was a good time,” director of student and community engagement Lynette Shott said. “Dr. Guines and everyone involved really had a long term vision back then.”
The bus has been garaged for several years and still has much of the original equipment inside. Designed initially for students to build and rebuild computers, Shott presented ideas on how the bus could be transformed for the next generation of students.
“It was such a great service to the community when it originally started,” Shott said. “We are excited that we can continue to use it.”
The proposal was to redesign the bus interior for training, presentations, and to be showcased at events like movies in the park and other community events that attract families.
“Families can walk through and sign up for Skyworks and learn what is available to them,” she said.
Superintendent Jacob Oliva said he would like to include a school counselor on the bus at these events to answer questions.
An exterior change that would need to be addressed is the outside wrap with the Make-It Take-It logo, though Shott said part of the wrap might still be usable.
“The name has changed, but the concept is still there,” she said.
The bus would also need to be checked mechanically by the school transportation department. Shott said the bus update expenses were considered when preparing the Title 1 grant this year.
Chairman Colleen Conklin and board member Sue Dickinson were on the school board, and involved in the original program.
“It’s great seeing the next phase of this,” Conklin said. “Now it’s about going out and continuing that outreach.”
