AMHERST — You could call it a case of plowing the money back into the business. Except in this case, the business is Marion L. Steele High School.
The high school library will be getting new shelving, computers and partitions, thanks to a $30,000 donation from the school’s Parent Teacher Organization.
The funds came from the sale of Amherst Comet sweatshirts, scarves, winter coats and other clothing at the school’s Comet Corner, a classroom set aside years ago for conversion into what Teresa L. Gilles described as a bookstore-like enterprise dispensing the school logo clothing, school supplies, snacks and paperback books required for certain English and social studies classes.
“You’ll begin to notice some changes in the fall, and others will take place over the next three years,” said Gilles, PTO president. “It hasn’t been decided yet what will go in first.”
Gilles, who also serves as executive director of Main Street Amherst, estimated that it took about five years to accumulate the money that will be used to improve the library.
“Students spent all that money there at the school, and now, in a sense, we’re giving it back,” she said.
Among the improvements that students and staff will enjoy in coming months are new computers, along with new shelving.
“Some of the computers are 10 years old and need updating. The new shelves will be lower than what is there now,” Gilles said.
“You’ll be able to see over them. It will make for a more open, friendly atmosphere.”
Other changes expected to be made include adding partitions to create separate areas within the library that can be used for small classes.
As is common with similar high school stores, Comet Corner — open 7:30 a.m. to
1 p.m. during the school year — allows students to buy books, supplies, and other items lower prices, Gilles said.
The Steele PTO works with area businesses to obtain school supplies such as school clothing, umbrellas, visors, travel mugs, notebooks, protractors, glue and book covers.
“It’s all about buying locally,” Gilles said.
“We put money back into the community that way.”
The library won’t be the only part of the high school getting spruced up. The Comet Corner is in for a facelift as well that will include a paint job and waxing of the floor.
Local businesses plan to new countertops and cabinets for the room, according to Gilles.
Contact Steve Fogarty at 329-7146 or sfogarty@chroniclet.com

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