The document presents 12 strategies for schools to reduce expenses and improve efficiency, emphasizing the importance of technology and sustainability. Key suggestions include implementing electric hand dryers, transitioning to paperless systems, improving lighting, and investing in solar energy. By becoming community hubs and embracing modern educational tools, schools can enhance their financial stability while serving their local communities.

1. Wasteful Schools
12 Ways Schools Can Earn Money
Without Fundraising...
I don’t believe schools are wasteful, but I do
think every school has room for improvement
when it comes to lowering expenses, gaining
efficiencies via technology and getting greener.
Here are a few ideas that schools can use to
earn cash back over time.
A BelieveJay Presentation

2. 1) Electric Hand Dryers
Get some that won’t burn kids and
you will reduce your paper cost by
a ton.

3. 2) Automatic Sinks &
Soap Dispensers
If you’ve not got them yet, you are
surely wasting money.

4. 3) A Heating &
Cooling Timer
Putting an intelligent thermostat
in will allow temperatures to creep
up after school and overnight, but
return to perfect the next morning.

5. 4) Go Paperless
Based on what I’ve seen, this is a
biggie! Every school can reduce the
paper they use and rely more on
computers. Keep records from a
district level down digital! Many businesses
today have made the switch to paperless
quite successfully and you can too!

6. 5) Lighting
Improving lighting is a big deal in
schools! Schools can put intelligent
switches on lights that turn on when
someone enters a room and off when
everyone’s gone.
Helpful Hint
Paying attention to lighting design and using new energy-efficient lighting can save
money as well!

7. 6) Recycle
While not a money saver in a
conventional sense, recycling does
encourage schools to use what
they need. It’s a reminder not to be
wasteful and that creates savings.
Helpful Hint
Re-using everyday products such as cardboard boxes, glass jars and other materials can
reduce art supply cost.

8. 7) Unplug
Remind faculty to unplug things
that are not used regularly.
If there are printers, calculators,
etc. on all the time that are rarely
used, they are storing and using
energy. Although not a major
consideration perhaps, it’s still
money in the bank.

9. 8) Solar
Solar power is a bit expensive in
the short-term, but long-term gains
are outstanding. Outdoor lighting
and signage can be solar powered
and school roofs allow ample direct
sunlight for even bigger efforts.

10. 9) Invest in Technology
Smart Boards, iPads and
computers limit the need for paper
and conventional printing. Use an
email broadcast instead of a printed
newsletter and you save thousands
of sheets of paper a year!
When schools embrace technology, the business world takes notice producing even better, more
applicable technology. You have to support technology in schools if you want technology to
support you!

11. 10) Ebooks instead
of Textbooks
There is a change coming. A
transition from paper textbooks
to electronic versions. There’s no
need to have a printed book except
perhaps in cases of early childhood
education and even that is going
digital!

12. 11) Be a Community Hub
Consider offering areas of the
school to the business and public
sector for the sake of the
community.
Rent out your baseball fields, host seminars and other events, provide your parking lot to the
annual clothing sale for a donation. As long as it passes the legal test and is a benefit to the
school and the community, you should consider it.

13. 12) Offer Summer School,
Study and Play Groups
Science camps, band camps, art
camps, educational and fun groups
can be a boom to the finances of a
school while offering a community
benefit.
If these are third-party providers, they will rent the location. If they are your own program, the
school benefits from all the income. Hosting events when the school is not in session may just
be a way to earn more while providing a service. As your school gets more embedded into the
community, it holds more power and prestige. This adds credibility, comfort and people become
used to going there for various events and activities. As people think of your school as a benefit
to the community, it becomes more important in the eyes of the community.

14. Wasteful Schools
So, with that you have a community hub that
saves money by being green, investing in
technology and reusable energy. In setting
up your own plan, look to building efficiencies
first, then look inside the classroom and finally
look to the community. There’s certainly a lot
of ways to make an impact.
Now, go do something good!
A BelieveJay Presentation