For Immediate Release:   June 25, 2008

 

BPS Sets Record Logging 1.2 Million Volunteer Hours

            VIERA—Brevard Public Schools recorded more than 1.2 million volunteer hours during the 2007-08 school year, a record for the district. Community members donated 1,214,539 volunteer hours—an increase of 14.3 percent from the previous year. According to the Independent Sector, a leadership coalition that monitors the charitable community, each volunteer hour has an estimated dollar value of $19.51. That equates to $23.7 million in value to Brevard Public Schools.

            “We are pleased that our community continues to support our schools at increasing levels,” said Superintendent Dr. Richard A. DiPatri. “Increasing volunteerism is a priority for our School Board and our district, remaining an important component of our strategic plan. We are grateful that so many in our community take this shared commitment so seriously.”

Brevard schools with the largest number of volunteer hours:

• Palm Bay High – 62,344
• Discovery Elementary – 52,430
• Bayside High – 40,443

Schools with the greatest number of hours per student:

• Discovery Elementary – 51.4
• Freedom 7 Elementary – 36.6
• Apollo Elementary – 34.1

Schools with the largest percent of increase from last year:

• Viera High – 279.6 percent
• Eau Gallie High – 193.9 percent
• Cocoa High – 120.0 percent

Overall, the number of active volunteers increased slightly, up 12.8 percent from 20,042 to 22,606. BPS also increased the number of senior volunteers (age 62+), adding an additional 170 volunteers, an increase of 15.8 percent. The average number of volunteer hours per student for this year was 17.3. The district has already exceeded its 2010 strategic plan goal of 1.1 million volunteer hours. 

-BPS-