Editorial: Senior Tax Exchange: Stay involved, do real lasting good

Talk about it

We hope Journal readers didn’t miss last week’s front page story about a new school program open to senior citizens. Called STEP, it presents a golden opportunity.

If you’re at least 62 and live in the River Falls School District, you can volunteer for a variety of needs. Seniors hired can work up to 69 hours during the school year. They earn a maximum of $500 toward property tax relief.

For this year, the program is piloted at Rocky Branch Elementary School. The aim is that it will spread to the other public schools for the 2012-13 school year.

The idea is to have each school identify areas of need. Those could be reading or math tutoring, clerical, chaperoning on trips, preparing bulletin boards. Whatever the need, the intent is to find tasks that, when fulfilled, provide a better, more productive learning environment at each school.

As they retire, older people can’t be faulted for feeling a bit out of touch with schools and their community. They aren’t working; they have no children in school.

The STEP program opens the door for the elderly to reconnect with youngsters and the local schools. It’s a role-modeling opportunity and, according to Community Education Coordinator Monique Squire, the school jobs for seniors will involve real work — not busywork.

So, if you qualify and are looking for something to do, something to help kids, to help public education, to help give you a new useful activity and pay your property taxes, call STEP Coordinator Tara Albores at 715-425-1819, ext. 3131, or email her at tara.albores@rfsd.k12.wi.us.

The Journal’s online poll question this week asked, Jobs vs. Gates: Who was the greatest high-tech innovator?

Early returns show: Steve Jobs, 69.6%; Bill Gates, 30.4%.

To vote and catch the latest local news, go to www.riverfallsjournal.com.

Look for a new poll question each Friday.

Tags: opinion, editorials, money, k12