It is one of the few times when taxpayers get to decide exactly how their tax dollars will be used and is a great opportunity for schools to extend their programs. The tax credit must be used for extra-curricular activities or character education programs, but if these programs are supported through tax credits, it allows schools to focus their budgeted funds on the classroom.

Now, the trick is to get taxpayers, not just parents who are aware of this opportunity, but all of the state’s taxpayers to participate. Schools need to do a better job of marketing and getting the information to all of their community members and then make the process simple and convenient.

The smart school districts are doing this by adding online payment systems, or WebStores, to their school’s Web sites. Then, regardless of whether the taxpayer knows where the local school’s district office is or what hours they are open, they can contribute right online. They will have a receipt for their tax records and can use their credit or debit card to do so. Last year, contributions of $43.9 million were made and that number should be much higher. Our children receive a direct benefit with these funds and extra-curricular activities, which are often eliminated when educational funds are lean, can be provided. When these extra-curricular activities are provided, those students who can not afford to pay fees for these activities can participate. It is a true win-win for our educational system.

So, taxpayers, whip out those credit or debit cards and go to your community school’s Web site (or stop by their offices) and select how you want your Arizona taxes spent. Our state’s children will be the beneficiaries!

We’ll do a thorough analysis and send you a “report card” so you can see how your site stacks up. We’ll also provide some recommendations so that, if you decide to make the changes yourself, you’ll know where to begin. Just visit our Web site at www.schoolwebmasters.com and complete the Evaluation Request form.

First of all, while you are proud of the work your students produce, the average student doesn’t have the skill sets to develop, design, write, and maintain a comprehensive Web site. What is more likely is that they have some of the skills, but not all. To be fair, it isn’t even likely that any of your adult staff has all the skill sets required since most firms that do this professionally hire different people who contribute the various aspects of the Web site development (graphic designers, programmers, copywriters, public relations experts, etc.).

Secondly, even if you were to have several gifted students who, with their combined skills, do an excellent job of developing a Web site, those students will eventually graduate and the continuity will go with them.

Solution? Encourage your students to build and manage a student Web site (with staff oversight, of course). Use this forum to let them shine and then link to it from the school Web site. Make it easy to find, but don’t make it the professional image that represents the school, its administration, and staff. Everybody wins. The school Web site keeps its focus on the needs of parents and the community and the student Web site satisifies their primary audience–the students.